THINK of a 'farmer' and chances are you'll imagine a bloke. Women are often not given the credit due to them in agriculture.
Ironically, it has been their behind-the-scenes, don't-make-a-fuss attitude that has hidden accolades and achievements in the past.
But there could be a tide turning in Australian agriculture, and three Queensland women have seen what potential farming women have.
Leanne Kruss and Jessica Fealy from Mareeba joined Rachel Hay from Townsville to represent far north Queensland at the 2015 International Rural Women's Conference in Adelaide in March. They were among 160 other delegates from across the globe who gathered to learn from one another about being a woman in the rural sector.
Rarely held in Australia, the event has become a platform for international networking, and offers opportunities for rural women to engage in discussions and share ideas.
It also highlights and promotes the achievements and successes of women in a range of roles and industries within the agricultural sector.
Leanne, who is the Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association regional workforce development officer, said women were playing an ever increasing role in the decision making in farming and agribusiness.
"Women play a significant part in Australian and global agribusiness, and they are occupying a rising number of diverse roles throughout the industry," she said.
"Our rural women play a massive contribution towards our society.
"They do that in a huge, diverse number of ways - whether it's through innovation, supporting their families, increasing agricultural production, biosecurity or natural resource management.
"I have absolute respect and admiration for every single rural woman I ever meet, because every single one of them gives something in their own way to everything that they do.
"The conference was a fantastic experience for me to listen to and speak with so many inspiring and influential Australian rural women."
More than 30 speakers from Australia and overseas gathered at the conference to discuss everything from agribusiness, technology, farming and food security to health and well-being.
The event included presentations from well-known journalist and primary producer Sally Rigney, 2014 Australian Rural Woman of the Year Pip Job, and award-winning rural film maker Sarah Gayton from the UK.
Jessica Fealy, from Blue Sky Produce in Mareeba, writes a blog (www.fealyfamily.com.au) and regularly shares snippets of farm life via Twitter (@blueskyproduce) and Facebook.
She said the two-day Adelaide event was an insight into global agriculture issues facing women.
"I came away realising that we all, from all different corners of the world, care about the same things; and that is to have thriving regional communities, extensive career opportunities for our kids, as well as staying up to date with the latest technology and knowing how to use it to improve our rural business," Jessica said.
"I've come away hugely inspired and feel very grateful to the Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association for their support of my attendance at the conference."
Townsville-based Rachel Hay is undertaking PhD studies at James Cook University (JCU) into the engagement of women and technology in agriculture. She agreed the event was an invaluable networking opportunity.
"I was able to introduce the congress attendees to both my research on rural women and technology, and to the Digital Homestead Project, both of which received much interest," she said.
The Digital Homestead Project is a collaborative effort between CSIRO, JCU, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Queensland University of Technology.
It evaluates how modern information and communication technologies such as wireless sensor networks, data analytics and rural connectivity can support greater profitability in the northern agricultural industry.
Following on from the conference, Leanne Kruss said the aim was now to encourage all women in far north Queensland to become fully engaged in the agricultural sector, by highlighting rewarding career pathways and business opportunities for development.
There are planned events to be held within the region for the ladies to promote the important role of women in agriculture in rural areas.
These will be in the form of monthly workshops, Facebook groups and tea/coffee mornings to encourage women to come forward and learn in a comfortable environment.
There are also plans for a significant rural women's meeting to be held at the FNQ Rotary Field Days in Mareeba from May 27-28, to encourage more women to the field day, and equip them with valuable tools and learning that can be shared from the conference.
"Agriculture is the biggest industry in this Far North Queensland region in which we live", Leanne said.
"My role is to identify and collaborate opportunities to progress local workforce development initiatives in production horticulture and I see the advancement of rural women networks, with sharing of knowledge, mentoring and information, as of paramount value to the agricultural industry in our community.
"Jess is one of my highly competent social media primary producers and I would like to utilise her skills to help encourage more ladies to advance their ability to market their businesses and share information."