Katie Milne, Dairy Woman of the year Finalist

16 January 2015

Katie Milne, Dairy Woman of the year Finalist

Federated Farmers President, Dr William Rolleston, says he’s thrilled by Katie Milne’s selection as a finalist for the 2015 Dairy Woman of the Year Award.

“I’m not surprised at Katie’s selection, as she has been a passionate advocate for farmers for a long time and has made some real progress for all of us at both a provincial and national level.”

“Katie has been involved with Federated Farmers since 1991, when as a 23 year old she went along to a provincial meeting with some concerns about the RMA’s impact on her ability to farm. Since then she has moved up the executive ranks, now in her third year as a Federated Farmers Board Member and in her sixth year as the Federation’s West Coast provincial president.”

“Katie wears many hats, sitting on the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), advising the Minister for Primary Industries, Chair of the West Coast TB Free Committee, she is in the Farmer Mental Wellness Strategy Group, partnering with stakeholders on improving farmer wellbeing, and has been instrumental in getting various environmental projects off the ground in the Lake Brunner area.”

“Her can do attitude, and ability to break down barriers by communicating at all levels, makes her incredibly influential in the agri political space. She is a practical, no nonsense farmer with a bright outlook on life and this resonates through her advocacy with the Federation.”

Katie Milne says she is humbled by the nomination, and to be in the same category as PGG Wrightson Animal Nutritionist, Andrea Murphy, Dairy Director, Wilma van Leeuwen, and

Demonstration Farm Director, Elaine Cook.

“More and more, woman are entering the dairy industry and it is important we have representation at a national and provincial level. I am passionate about having my feet on the ground, on the West Coast, and connecting the provinces with the national decision makers.”

“Whether you are male or female, we have farming in common and my goal is to make that as easy as possible for all of us. Farming needs to be sustainable if we are to have a bright future.” She concluded.

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