The grant recipients are Alice Bennett (Crystal Brook, South Australia), Thea Walker (Jardee, Western Australia), Nadine Holgate (Kialla, Victoria), Emma Goodall (Clunes, Victoria), Leanne Kruss (Dimbulah, Queensland), Kate Webster (Muttama, New South Wales) and Sara McCarthy (Narromine, NSW).

The Rural Women's Acceleration Grant was launched in 2021 and is designed to foster growth and development in women involved in Australia's rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities.

The seven 2023 recipients successfully pitched ideas, ranging from health chats, value-add ice cream and pastures under horse grazing, to a brain injury summit, Australian fibre apparel rental, classroom resources about agriculture and delivering medication with a drone.

"We are thrilled to be offering these seven rural women the leadership and development opportunities they need to make real and tangible impacts in their industries and communities," said AgriFutures Australia managing director, John Harvey.

"The AgriFutures Rural Women's Acceleration Grant is an important program as it provides a vehicle for women across the nation to realise their potential. It will nurture the development of new and exciting ideas, and we encourage the successful applicants to apply for the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award in the future," Harvey said.

Each of the seven women will receive a learning and development bursary of up to $7000 for professional development to enable them to bring their idea, cause, or vision to life.

Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women's Acceleration Grant will open in September.

McGowan appointed to Board

AgriFutures Australia also announced this week that Cathy McGowan AO has been appointed to the position of Chairperson of the AgriFutures Australia Board.

McGowan is a sixth-generation farmer from north-east Victoria and has held various leadership roles of rural and regional organisations, including as president of Australian Women in Agriculture. She was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia in 2004 and was elected and served in the Australian Parliament as the Federal Member for Indi from 2013 to 2019.

McGowan said she was excited to be joining the organisation and looked forward to working with the Board and team to continue to grow the long-term prosperity and sustainability of Australian rural industries.