Unconscious biases are learned stereotypes that, according to the official definition, are automatic, unintended, ingrained, universal and able to influence behaviour. Most of us have them and I most certainly do. One of the training and development initiatives we completed as part of our CERES group (women in agri business leadership network) dealt with unconscious bias. Doing the associated tests forced me to become aware of my own biases, which helped me combat them – a beneficial exercise.
Last weekend, I was a judge at the Queen of the Land Festival in Tullamore. Prior to starting this job, as I mentioned in my column before, I was unfamiliar with the many competitions run by Macra, such as Miss Blue Jeans, Miss Macra or Queen of the Land, as I had not been an active member myself. Admittedly I had some unconscious bias in this regard. This came from having very little understanding of what the competitions were about or what they give to the participants.
Its purpose was to support each other and provide a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and peer support
We set up the CERES network because we felt that women in agri business lacked a support structure at that time. Its purpose was to support each other and provide a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and peer support. What I learned last weekend from conversations with former winners was that the Queen of the Land competition gives these women a similar support structure, mentorship, a sense of empowerment and friends for life.
My fellow judges and I grilled the ladies on a number of topics and on one question which specifically related to the rural-urban divide.
I am interested in farm policy and I hold firm in my belief that a strong farm lobby is fundamental to the future success of our industry
A number of the participants responded that Macra was playing an important role in bridging this gap, as urban and rural clubs come together. They all reiterated that Macra was an open organisation and not just for farmers.
With more urban and city clubs forming, I had wondered if an increasing number of non-farmer members would dilute the effectiveness of Macra as a farm organisatio
I am interested in farm policy and I hold firm in my belief that a strong farm lobby is fundamental to the future success of our industry. I always viewed Macra as a breeding ground for future farm leaders and it has produced several in the past. With more urban and city clubs forming, I had wondered if an increasing number of non-farmer members would dilute the effectiveness of Macra as a farm organisation. Would this mean fewer or no more policy-driven farm leaders coming from the Macra ranks?
However, my work on diversity and inclusion, plus attending different events in this area over the past 12 months, has taught me a lot. I now see this in a very different light. Many of the women that walked in the door last Saturday were farmers and many more were not actively farming. But that diversity is perhaps exactly what we need amongst young people. They are coming together, sharing views and debating those views. This is key.
Eradicating some of the unconscious bias, which works both ways, may play an important role in curbing the rural-urban divide
It seems unlikely that an urban club will produce a farm leader of the future (unless they are a country blow-in). However, for those that perhaps may end up taking on these roles, having this interaction, challenge and diversity of thought will have widened their minds outside of their own farmgate. Eradicating some of the unconscious bias, which works both ways, may play an important role in curbing the rural-urban divide. That said, all of the women that took part are already leaders in terms of the respect and good grace that they showed each other.
We are looking for a Leaving Cert monthly contributor. If you are interested, please send Odile a 500-word essay on The Leaving Cert is fit for purpose to oevans@farmersjournal.ie. You are free to argue or concur.
Read more
Rural versus urban living - pro's and con's to both but both need to thrive
One word for Women & Ag 2019: transformative
The challenge of attracting good people
Unconscious biases are learned stereotypes that, according to the official definition, are automatic, unintended, ingrained, universal and able to influence behaviour. Most of us have them and I most certainly do. One of the training and development initiatives we completed as part of our CERES group (women in agri business leadership network) dealt with unconscious bias. Doing the associated tests forced me to become aware of my own biases, which helped me combat them – a beneficial exercise.
Last weekend, I was a judge at the Queen of the Land Festival in Tullamore. Prior to starting this job, as I mentioned in my column before, I was unfamiliar with the many competitions run by Macra, such as Miss Blue Jeans, Miss Macra or Queen of the Land, as I had not been an active member myself. Admittedly I had some unconscious bias in this regard. This came from having very little understanding of what the competitions were about or what they give to the participants.
Its purpose was to support each other and provide a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and peer support
We set up the CERES network because we felt that women in agri business lacked a support structure at that time. Its purpose was to support each other and provide a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and peer support. What I learned last weekend from conversations with former winners was that the Queen of the Land competition gives these women a similar support structure, mentorship, a sense of empowerment and friends for life.
My fellow judges and I grilled the ladies on a number of topics and on one question which specifically related to the rural-urban divide.
I am interested in farm policy and I hold firm in my belief that a strong farm lobby is fundamental to the future success of our industry
A number of the participants responded that Macra was playing an important role in bridging this gap, as urban and rural clubs come together. They all reiterated that Macra was an open organisation and not just for farmers.
With more urban and city clubs forming, I had wondered if an increasing number of non-farmer members would dilute the effectiveness of Macra as a farm organisatio
I am interested in farm policy and I hold firm in my belief that a strong farm lobby is fundamental to the future success of our industry. I always viewed Macra as a breeding ground for future farm leaders and it has produced several in the past. With more urban and city clubs forming, I had wondered if an increasing number of non-farmer members would dilute the effectiveness of Macra as a farm organisation. Would this mean fewer or no more policy-driven farm leaders coming from the Macra ranks?
However, my work on diversity and inclusion, plus attending different events in this area over the past 12 months, has taught me a lot. I now see this in a very different light. Many of the women that walked in the door last Saturday were farmers and many more were not actively farming. But that diversity is perhaps exactly what we need amongst young people. They are coming together, sharing views and debating those views. This is key.
Eradicating some of the unconscious bias, which works both ways, may play an important role in curbing the rural-urban divide
It seems unlikely that an urban club will produce a farm leader of the future (unless they are a country blow-in). However, for those that perhaps may end up taking on these roles, having this interaction, challenge and diversity of thought will have widened their minds outside of their own farmgate. Eradicating some of the unconscious bias, which works both ways, may play an important role in curbing the rural-urban divide. That said, all of the women that took part are already leaders in terms of the respect and good grace that they showed each other.
We are looking for a Leaving Cert monthly contributor. If you are interested, please send Odile a 500-word essay on The Leaving Cert is fit for purpose to oevans@farmersjournal.ie. You are free to argue or concur.
Read more
Rural versus urban living - pro's and con's to both but both need to thrive
One word for Women & Ag 2019: transformative
The challenge of attracting good people
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