Pharma to farmer
Following her career as a pharmacist, Lynne Strong decided to change her career path – taking a new job in dairy farming. With her husband Michael and son Nicholas, Lynne managed the multi-award winning Clover Hill Dairies at Jamberoo on the NSW South Coast.
Lynne’s management of business won her some of agriculture’s most prestigious awards – including the inaugural Bob Hawke Landcare Award (2016), the National Landcare Primary Producer Award (2010), as well as being both a Eureka Prize and Banksia Award finalist.
Becoming a catalyst for change
While she no longer runs the farm, Lynne continues contributing to the industry by working to develop youths in agriculture. She prides herself on acting as a catalyst for change and an inspiration to young leaders so they can become agricultural change-makers.
To achieve this, Lynne set up Picture You in Agriculture* (PYIA), a Not for Profit organization that aims to connect farmers and the community through youth partnerships .As she says, “young people may only be 20% of the population, but they are 100% of our future.”
Over the years, PYIA has built a reputation as strategic partner that promotes public understanding of farming, and the interconnectedness of health and nutrition and the agricultural sector. Today, the organization continues to ensure that young people not only get a seat at the table, but a voice, too. With leaders like Lynne at the helm of organisations like PYIA, , the future is bright for Australia’s young farmers.
*Picture You in Agriculture (PYIA) has rebranded to Action for Agriculture (A4A).