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International Women’s Day Profile: Candy Johnson

The theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) this year is about building a gender equal world to promote thriving economies and communities.

In the lead up to IWD, which is being celebrated 8 March, the AMS asked a number of women in macadamias to tell their stories about their role, what they enjoy and their thoughts about the industry. This is our way of acknowledging the contribution women are making to the growth of and innovation in the industry, from growers to researching to processing and marketing.


Great opportunities there for the asking in macadamias

Before Candy Johnson moved to Gympie from the UK in 2015, she hadn’t even seen a macadamia tree, so buying a 60 ha orchard with husband Ian has certainly meant a steep learning curve for them both in the last five years. 

Their successful attention to the task of learning about a totally new enterprise is evidenced by the AMS Award for Excellence for nut quality that Candy and Ian received last year. 

Candy explained that one of the things that has helped them with managing the farm and developing it into an award-winning enterprise has been the support they have received from the industry itself. She also acknowledged that they have had the good fortune to enter the industry with prices high allowing them to invest in the orchard 

“Right from day one we have had a tremendous amount of support from the AMS and other growers. It is an industry that likes to share and compare,” she said.

While she had no experience with a perennial tree crop like macadamias, agriculture wasn’t totally unfamiliar territory for Candy, who has a degree in horticulture and had worked in plant nurseries in the UK.

One of the things she enjoys about the farm is the diversity of her role in the business. One day she might be inside in the farm office while the next, she could be in the orchard. 

“I must say that it is not a bad office when you are in the middle of the orchard, the kangaroos are sleeping in the shade and you hear nothing but the birds and the insects,” she said.

Candy is responsible for all the office management and financial records, as well as for managing the irrigation. At harvest time, she is also in charge of the shed.

“I also slot in to other duties when needed such as mowing, pruning and driving the harvester,” she explained.

But her interest in the farm hasn’t stopped there. To learn more about macadamias and the effect of different management strategies, Candy said that she has also done small trials to research pollination and the effects of limb removal. 

When asked to identify challenges for women in the macadamia industry, Candy looks to her own experience and explains that she doesn’t like to discern between men and women as far as business is concerned. 

“Anyone can do most things when they put their mind to it allowing for differences in physical capabilities,” she said. “I know women who run their own farm, drive machinery, undertake research and are industry advisors, so as far as opportunities in the industry are concerned, they are there for both men and women.”

One significant difference for women she did identify was the fact that because they tend to take on more of the role of the nurturer in relationships, they need to be flexible around childcare and other home-based duties. According to Candy, this is where the macadamia industry comes into its own, providing opportunities in its flexibility as far as tasks and daily schedules are concerned. 

Candy’s attitude is the same when asked about opportunities for women. The important thing for her is that both men and women be treated equally based on ability and skills when it comes to being employed. And for those women who need a bit of inspiration and confidence, she believes that hearing from women who have “been there and done that” is important as they can show the way. 

Her advice to women thinking about entering the macadamia industry is not to be afraid of the challenges, rather to take the opportunity to get in and learn new things. 

“I used to be terrified of chopping my leg off with a chainsaw or rolling a tractor into the dam but if you learn how to use these machines properly, they get the job done. I still have two legs and none of the tractors have been swimming!” she said.

According to Candy, with the terrific support available through the AMS, industry advisors and other growers, all you need to do is “just ask”.

ENDS/

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This website has been partly funded by Hort Innovation, using the macadamia research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.