Agriculture October 15, 2021
International Day of Rural Women: Emerald woman carves her own agriculture career
Cotton Growers Services (CGS) Branch Manager, Alexandria Galea, discovered her dream job working in Central Queensland’s agricultural sector.
Queensland, Crestmead (15 October, 2021) — WORKING closely with farmers in Central Queensland’s agriculture industry, Alexandria Galea is surrounded by inspiring and powerful women, which is why International Day of Rural Women, held on 15 October, is an event close to her heart.
Based in Emerald, Alexandria is the Branch Manager of Cotton Growers Services’ (CGS) and although she has always had a deep passion for ag, she admits her current position isn’t a role she envisioned herself in when growing up on her family’s cotton and grains irrigation farm.
“Growing up I mostly saw the careers in agriculture being directly on farm,” Alexandria said.
“Between high school and university, I took a summer job with CGS and realised the magnitude of opportunities and roles within agriculture.
“All agriculture needs is people who are committed and have the right attitude, and there is certainly a lot of women like that. I have found the opportunities are endless.”
The summer job soon extended into a full gap year with CGS and Alexandria spent time doing roustabout work, which entailed everything from bug checking, to basic accounting and customer service.
Following that year, she headed to university to study a Bachelor of Education, but about halfway through, discovered she had a penchant for agronomy.
So, after completing her degree, Alexandria opted to step straight into a pair of work boots to pursue a career in agronomy while obtaining her official qualification through distant learning.
Today, her manager’s position involves overseeing a team of five and continuing to work in the field.
“No day is ever the same, I spend most of my time on farms managing crops and giving consultancy advice on how farmers can achieve maximum yields with the current climatic conditions and resources they have,” she said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding, I think, when you can successfully help a farmer achieve an outcome they are striving for.”
Alexandria also has a firm finger on the pulse of AgTech, so she can help producers apply innovation to increase production and profitability.
She said this International Day of Rural Women, provides an opportunity for ladies working in the agricultural industry to network and gain support and learnings from one another.
“I think International Day of Rural Women is the perfect time to reconnect women in agriculture in particular now when we often find ourselves apart,” she said.
“Here in CQ, there is a wonderful agricultural community in which women have a strong and active presence, there are always opportunities for women to grow’’.
John Deere is shining the spotlight on women working in agriculture through a series of stories this International Day of Rural Women
About Deere & Company:
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in Australia at JohnDeere.com.au.
Media Contacts:
Stacey Wordsworth
0438 394 371
stacey.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
Hannah Hardy
0421 196 004
hannah.hardy@bluehillpr.com.au
