Elke Chosen For Diversity In Agriculture Leadership Program

IMAGE: Elke Cleverdon is thrilled to be among the 12 women chosen to be part of the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.

From hundreds of applicants, 12 women with diverse skills and experiences have been chosen to participate in the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program. Local woman Elke Cleverdon is one of those 12 women.

“I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring,” Ms Cleverdon said.

“I feel very humbled and excited to be selected. They get hundreds of applications each year.”

The mentoring and networking program is in its fifth year and aims to increase the representation of women in agriculture’s leadership ranks.

Ms Cleverdon said she would head to a two-and-a-half day leadership summit in Canberra before being mentored by representatives from the NFF for four months.

As well as having a grassroots role in agriculture through her family farm, Ms Cleverdon is employed by Rural Financial Counselling Services. She also uses her skills strategically, sitting as a director on the Local Land Services and Murrumbidgee Health.

Ms Cleverdon is passionate about creating opportunities for young people coming up in the community and maintaining services locally. The program involves 33 industry partners and provides a pathway for women to rise to the top of the agriculture industry.

NFF has set a goal to double the number of women in the industry in leadership roles by 2030.

The women will graduate at NFF’s 2030 Leaders’ Summit in October.