From Career Crossroads to Farming with Purpose

Dec 1, 20242 min read

Oct 4, 2024 | Ambassadors, Latest News, Stepping into Leadership, Stories of Impact

Empowering Farming Families Through Education and Business Management

An interview with Rachael McInerney

At the heart of our fifth-generation family farm in South Australia’s Mid-North, I’ve learned that farming is about more than just the land—it’s about building a sustainable business for future generations. After two teaching degrees and a successful career in education, I never imagined I’d be taking on the role of Farm Business Manager. But as a wife and mother, I soon realised that our farm needed more than just hands in the field—it needed someone to help navigate the complexities of business management, HR, finance, and compliance.

When I was handed the bookwork for the farm, I knew I had a lot to learn, but I also saw an opportunity.

After attending a transformative two-day HR masterclass through Women in Ag (WoTL), I dove head-first into the world of farm business management. What I discovered was life-changing—not only could we be doing so much more to improve our farm’s operations, but we could be setting a new standard for farm businesses.

Through a passion for learning and a dedication to continual improvement, I’ve been able to implement new systems and best practices in areas like budgeting, administration, and succession planning, ensuring our farm thrives for the next generation. Along the way, I realised that this wasn’t just my journey—many women in farming, often partners or wives, were stepping into these roles without the formal training they needed. That’s why I’m so passionate about bringing education and professional development to farming families. By empowering everyone—from the farm’s leadership to the partners behind the scenes—with knowledge and tools for success, we can create sustainable, profitable businesses that stand the test of time.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the ripple effect of this learning in our community—other women have asked for advice, joined workshops, and started implementing these same practices on their farms. Together, we’re creating a more connected, knowledgeable, and resilient farming community for the future.