MORE than great scones, the Country Women's Association is lobbying for agricultural and environmental action.
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Horsham CWA member, Narelle Hanrahan, is the CWA Victoria state agriculture and environment committee chairperson.
She leads one of ten CWA Victoria committees, advocating and lobby for issues brought forward by CWA members.
"Tea and scones are great, they make money but we also lobby government," Ms Hanrahan said.
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"My committee is focused on lobbying government on issues related to agriculture and environment."
They also run events, and one is coming up in October.
"We're running an open garden event, where members will open their gardens to the public," Ms Hanrahan said.
"Three gardens in one location will be open for the weekend."
CWA Victoria has a yearly product, and the 2021 product has an agricultural spin.
"This year our product of the year is grass but its 'Grass is not just lawn," Ms Hanrahan said.
"Branches will all study the product of the year.
"It's about educating members and becoming more aware of different things."
Ms Hanrahan said this product worked well with the 2021 country of study, which is Indigenous Australia.
"A number of branches have been looking at a indigenous grasses," she said.
Ms Hanrahan said as someone in the agricultural industry, she is pleased people are expanding their ideas on grass given its importance in agriculture.
She said she wanted to take on the role because of the passion of the CWA.
"CWA is a strong voice, and I'd like to be a part of that strong voice," Ms Hanrahan said.
"I wanted to be a catalyst of change in that environment."
Ms Hanrahan said for Wimmera farmers, water security, inputs and commodity prices are a concern.
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"Environmental issues as well. Farmers really do care for the land, so to continue to ensure that they're practices are environmentally friendly is a concern," she said.
The committee had recently campaigned for water security.
"We've been speaking to government and advocating for that recently," Ms Hanrahan said.
A lack of personal connection made lobbying more difficult.
"It's challenging," Ms Hanrahan said.
"Trying to connect with people via email and video conferencing."
Ms Hanrahan will be the chairperson for two years; she said her goal is to bring more awareness to what agriculture is and its significance to everyone.
"Agriculture is about farmers being caretakers of the land and about community," she said.
"And the communities agriculture supports."
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