The Program is a mentoring opportunity for women who want to play a leading role in shaping the future of agriculture and regional Australia.

Graduates of the Program, now a 30-strong alumni, have gone on to hold industry board positions and continue to be changemakers within their sectors and communities.

NFF president Fiona Simson said the Program was transforming gender representation within agriculture and directly addressed the theme of this year's International Women's Day: #ChoosetoChallenge.

"For many years, unspoken barriers have seen women all but excluded from the forums where key decisions are taken about agriculture and the future of regional communities," Simson said.

"Thankfully, transformative change to fix this inequality is now well underway."

In 2016, Simson was elected as the first female president of the NFF in its 40-year history. Today, women make up 50 per cent of the NFF board.

The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program is open to women over 25 years of age who have a connection with agriculture and can demonstrate a commitment to industry leadership.

Successful applicants are matched with a mentor, whom they work with to identify their leadership goals. In addition, throughout the Program, participants are provided access to a range of inspiring and accomplished leaders and come together with their fellow 2021 cohort twice in Canberra.

Applications are open until Monday 5 April. Applicants will be notified of the outcome during April.

For more details, visit: https://nff.org.au/programs/leadership/