Celebrating one another and highlighting the opportunities

Like so many others, Kirsti Lovie “fell into horticulture” and discovered a passion for it.

“I know it’s a cliché,” laughs Kirsti. “I was working in dairy and I met my partner through Young Farmers and started helping out in his family vegetable growing business.”

Fast forward 12 years and they are in a succession process to take on that business, with 120Ha in Canterbury plus some leased land, growing crops including potatoes, brassicas, sweetcorn and process vegetables.

Kirsti combines that with her role as a business performance and sustainability manager with Craigmore Sustainables. She is also the current associate director on the Horticulture New Zealand board and is doing the Farmlands Advanced Directors Course.

“The big thing for me about horticulture is the community and connections,” she says. “I love going into a supermarket and seeing our produce or our friends’ and neighbours’ brands -- or driving past a grocery store or market and seeing our produce bins.

“When it comes to women in horticulture, I see more opportunity than challenges. There are so many career pathways and already many examples of women in prominent leadership positions from boards to product groups to Horticulture New Zealand.

“There are also many mentoring and leadership programmes available in the sector, as well as the many supportive networks and organisations, catering from young growers through to business owner.

“In terms of training and development opportunities, there is something to suit whatever you want to do, from degrees to on-the-job learning and micro-credentials such as safe handling of chemicals and assessing and managing risks to freshwater from horticulture production.

“We need to keep getting that message about what exists out there, through networks - and social media has an important role to play.”

Kirsti acknowledges that women can often bring a different approach that adds value to operations and though diversity which can help create a resilient industry.

“I think women bring different skillsets that run parallel with other approaches. There is not a right or a wrong way but there is that very empathetic and supportive element.

“International Day of Rural Women is about that community celebrating one another and highlighting the opportunities and, hopefully, giving confidence to other women to step up and do training and take leadership roles.

“The Horticulture New Zealand associate director role is amazing. I want to maximise my learnings from every session. For me, stepping into leadership is about inspiring and contributing. I’m passionate about being part of shaping the future of the sector and governance offers a powerful opportunity to do that.

“That is the key piece, which drives me. I want to continue to contribute and to make an impact.”