Passionate young farmer up for national awards

CLARKES Hill farmer Caitlin Grieve has been named a finalist in the National Rural Ambassador Award and the Young Grains Judges competition.

The 25-year-old has a Dorset Horn stud background, and will contest the awards at the Royal Adelaide Show in September, taking part in an interview process and delivering an impromptu speech.

“The National Rural Ambassador Award is about your community involvement and leadership, but a lot of it is involved in show involvement, show leadership, and how long, and how deeply you’ve been involved,” she said.

“I’ve been involved in showing sheep since I was a baby… and progressed through there.

“By the time I was 15, I was helping to steward other breeds. Towards 18, I got the opportunity to be an associate judge for breeds with more experienced judges, and that’s led into judging other breeds.”

Ms Grieve’s local agricultural shows are Ballarat, Clunes, Maldon, Daylesford, the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show, Australasian Dorset Championships Show and Sale, and the Victorian Sheep and Wool Show.

“I’ve been going to those all my life, and have judged at Holbrook, Whittlesea, Berwick, Clunes, Maldon, Ballarat, and the Melbourne Royal,” she said.

Ms Grieve said she values the opportunity to meet so many members of the public that don’t come from a farming background at ag shows because it is a chance to educate them.

“People come up and ask how they can tell the difference between a boy and a girl sheep, for example. Last year, a lady didn’t realise suits were made out of wool,” she said.

“It’s so important young people embrace agriculture and every opportunity to share it with all Australians, metropolitan and rural.

“A lot of metro people are very interested and do have valid questions and concerns, and genuine curiosity around how they can be involved in any way.

“It’s for people in the industry and young people to recognise that, open doors, and allow that connection.

“We also trust our food by understanding it.”

The Grieve family have the oldest registered continuing stud in Australia for Dorset Horns, which was registered in 1931.

They also produce prime lamb – some of which goes to Ballarat butcher John Harbour – and some crops.

Dad, Robert Grieve, said his daughters aren’t being forced to be farmers, but it just happens that it’s their big passion.

“Caitlin’s tried lots of new things,” he said. “She’s been to uni in New Zealand, she’s milked cows, been on the spud harvester, and she’s even sold bridal dresses.

“Very diverse.” Ms Grieve attended Lincoln University in New Zealand where she studied agricultural science and had a leadership scholarship.

“I was part of the Young Farmers’ Club over there, volunteering on different farms, helping farmers that needed assistance with fencing or marking, running barbecues…” she said.

Ms Grieve is now studying a Bachelor of History online.

Her other community involvement includes some work with Legacy Ballarat, five years’ worth of rowing coaching, volunteering at the Dean dog trials, and membership with Toastmasters public speaking.