S1 Ep 53 - Dairying to Dream

For our final episode of 2022, we learn how a self-confessed city slicker ended up being named as the 2022 Rural Community Leader of the Year. It is quite the story. It all started with young love, a trip to the Brisbane Ekka and Sarah Parker now calls a dairy farm in Victoria's Goulburn Valley home. Finding connection in a remote part of the world became a calling that's now part of her identity. Sarah is making her mark in the industry as current Vice President of the National Rural Women's Coalition, a director of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, a Victorian Farmers Federation member and Treasurer of Australian Women in Agriculture. To learn more, Sarah Parker joins us today's episode. We discuss: The safety Sarah feels on her farm is her favourite thing about life on the land. Farming certainly isn't her background and she shares why she made the choice to leave the city behind. How Sarah was able to use her skills in community and rural development by intentionally attending community events and making connections. Testing these connections as the community they built came to their aid after a serious accident on farm. Fast forward to now – Sarah is a mentor, she has sat on industry boards and is currently working towards increasing medical support to women in rural areas. This important work has led to Sarah being named Rural Community Leader of the Year and her reflections on this award. A country boy, a city girl, a cow and a shovel - how Brisbane Show The Ekka brought them all together. Sarah's favourite thing about life on the land is the sense of community. The most unexpected thing to happen since moving to the farm from the city. Common misconceptions about life on the land. Sarah's ultimate dream for the future of rural communities. We hope to see you back on the road on January 8th 2023 for Season 2 of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.   Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers On Instagra Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn   Produced by Pretty Podcasts