Connecting Through Food
Author: Nigel McNay | Published: January 27, 2018
A greater profile for the wide-ranging benefits of regenerative agriculture is what a Stanley woman hopes will flow from her recognition in a national awards program.
Jade Miles has been announced as one of three finalists in the Victorian Rural Women’s Award.
The award is part of a wider program, with the Victorian winner to be named at Melbourne Museum on March 20 going on to the national award ceremony in Canberra in September.
Ms Miles said that to be nominated “really is incredible” and “actually a bit of a surprise”.
“More than anything it allows you to know that the work that you’re doing is understood and it reads with people,” she said.
“What it does is provide an opportunity where people are starting to actually listen to what your message is.
“Because mine is around regenerative agriculture and local food systems, it’s not one that usually gets a very loud voice.”
Ms Miles’ nomination outlined how she wanted to share her learnings from developing a community-owned regional food co-operative and to build a social enterprise-based model that could be rolled out in other regions.
She and her husband, Charlie Showers, and their three children live at Black Barn Farm, which they plan on becoming a regenerative and diverse orchard, nursery and learning space.