Teghan and Kyle Pearse farm with both their parents on properties around Donald and Quambatook.
While they both grew up on the farm, the pair got into farming three years ago after having started a family and work circumstances changed, “we thought: why not? let’s give farming a go” Teghan reminisces.
“Our plan was to try it for two years and see if it was the career path we wanted to take together” Teghan said. “But six months in, we were both absolutely loving it and that love has only grown over the three years”.
Teghan was originally a financial planner and while she doesn’t contribute a lot of labour hours to the farm due to having two young boys, she has that ability to think logically (when they boys want the big toys) and crunch the numbers when it comes to decision making. “I have been fortunate enough to build relationships with banks, solicitors and accountants so I can contribute to the farm through financial and strategic decision making” Teghan said.
What has the 2019 season been like on the farm?
For the Pearse’s, 2019 has described as being ‘on cloud 9’. They received the substantial summer rainfall, rejoiced in every drop of rain during the season and have been able to “throw every input available at the crops” Teghan describes. Teghan and Kyle joke that 2019 is “the year of the farmer”.
What does harvest look like?
“Harvest is looking exceptional” Teghan exclaimed. “Everyone is full of adrenaline and excited about the grain” she continued. As a mum, Teghan realises that the excitement will wear off as the days get longer and she will essentially be “single parenting two kids six days a week”.
What does agriculture/farming mean to you?
Teghan says “I love a career where the whole family can work together”. She loves that she gets to work alongside her husband, parents–in–law and her own parents.
“Farming involves something different every day, and a different result every year,
“And of course, I love that we’re contributing to help feed the world,” Teghan added.
What do you say to females who want to be involved in agriculture?
“I believe the more female role models we have in the industry the more females there will be, therefore we need women to believe in themselves enough to invest in themselves” Teghan says.
She continues ” I believe females are just as intelligent if we invest in ourselves, participate on the farm, educate, read, attend seminars and conferences. We can position ourselves to be leaders in the industry also.
“Unfortunately, it appears there are some females who may be interested in agriculture but just don’t believe in themselves to invest,” she said.
Teghan attended the Australian Women in Agriculture conference in Ballina recently supported by Rural Bank and said “women can and do farm. Many women in fact. It was inspirational seeing hard working, intelligent women running their own farms or someone else’s”.
