Cheyenne Wilson, Southland farmer and passionate voice for women and Māori in agriculture.

What first drew you to farming, and what keeps you passionate about working on the land?

I grew up in a small rural town called Ohai in western Southland. My whānau have always been connected to farming one way or another. My grandad was a farmer, and my koro and nan lived closely with the whenua. My parents met in the shearing sheds, and Dad later began farming himself. My siblings and I were always alongside him on farm every weekend and school holidays. That upbringing grounded me in farming and gave me a real sense of belonging. I started forging my own path in the industry after I left school, first starting in the shearing sheds before turning my hand at dairy farming.

What has it been like farming in a sector still often seen as male-dominated?

There were times when I had to work hard to be taken seriously, but in recent years I have noticed the industry shifting to more women representation. I have been fortunate to work for people who saw the value of women on farm. They would often say their female staff were more caring, compassionate, and kinder on gear, qualities that make a real difference.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced on farm as a woman, and how have you pushed through them?

One challenge has been assumptions. People often presumed the male staff member was the manager simply because he was male. I used to find it funny when they had to walk back and apologise once they realised I was the manager. I also once thought physical strength would hold me back, but I soon learned that women often work smarter, not just harder. At times, imposter syndrome had been my biggest enemy, and I think that is a challenge many women sometimes quietly face.

Who or what has inspired you most in your farming journey, and how do you support other women coming through?

I grew up surrounded by strong wahine, especially in the sheds, who taught me so much and had endless patience while I was learning. My friends and whānau continue to inspire me. Seeing them work hard in the industry while supporting others motivates me too. I try to give that back by always making myself available to women with questions about the sector. I mentor women through PrimaryITO and will be speaking at the Inspiring Womens Conference in Gore next month. I have appreciated seeing many women making themselves available for board roles, putting their hands up to represent their communities. I have been fortunate to meet many inspiring women and sit alongside many around the board table. Siobhan O'Malley is one of those women, her ability to create meaningful change and impact in the industry, she is a co-founder of Meet the Need which is a charity I have been privileged to have been involved with since it launched in 2020. She also founded Hemprino alongside her Kellogg friends and alongside her husband Christopher has pathed a path for her whanau in dairy farming. I have many wahine toa who I look up to and am fortunate to know and be able to reach out to and connect with.

What changes would you like to see for women at the grassroots of agriculture in the years ahead?

I would like to see more women continue to get around decision making tables, and more diversity in general. Representation matters, and when different perspectives are valued, the whole industry benefits.

If you had to describe rural women in three words, what would they be?

Passionate, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga.