Recognising Women in Horticulture

Nominations are now open for the APAL Awards For Excellence Women in Horticulture category, recognising outstanding women in our industry.

For International Women’s Day on March 8, we spoke to 2020 winner Sandra Ceravolo about the role of women in hort, her experience as a mentor, and how the industry has changed.

Women in Horticulture winner, Sandra Ceravolo

This year’s IWD theme is “break the bias”: what are the biases in horticulture that need to be addressed?

“Women’s roles are unrecognised in horticulture e.g.  marketing, design, PA or EA – they are expected roles that are not respected. Women’s roles and views are put in the ‘back of the house’.

“There is a general view that horticulture is not a feminine industry, and you have to have a ‘hard-line approach’ to be a female in the industry.

“There is a perceived view that women are unable to do the physical work. We may be limited sometimes but we are able to find solutions to get around it.”

You spoke in 2020 about your role as mentor – are you currently mentoring anyone?

“I mentor as many women as I can that are in my work environment, and any who approach me outside my workplace – especially the young, as they have a lot to offer me and I have for them. I expect them to teach me new processes, update me on technology and ability to source information. I impart how to deal with daily interactions with the ‘male’ orientated sections.

“I mentored my daughter when she came into the business, and I believe the role has changed and she is mentoring me now!

“I will be mentoring my receptionist/part admin with her new role of procurement – this in the horticulture industry is majority male dominated.

“Women can be pushed aside in these roles as they tend to think the owner/boss is in charge! – (as ex operations manager I have seen it all).”

How important is mentoring for helping women thrive in the industry?

“Mentoring is the backbone to our industry for women – to have someone to go to for issues that are ‘delicate’ or complex, and that person does not have a vested personal interest in their business.

“Also as mentors we need to encourage women to step out of their comfort zone, and make decisions that have risk to them, and let them know it is ok to make mistakes and own them as this is part of the growing process.

“Also we need to let women know that a ‘strong independent woman’ is kind, encouraging, understanding and able to call out bad behaviours and cultures.”

Are you seeing a lot more young women entering horticulture as a career than 20-30 years ago?

“We are definitely seeing a lot more women entering horticulture, especially in the higher level end such as executive and financial positions, as it is now being recognised that in horticulture if these roles are not run well your business will not survive.

“Many more women will enter in both the upper management and the operations side of business as more and more males are exposed to the abilities and the can do attitudes of women in the workplace, and fathers are forced to recognise that a son is not always the best successor for the family business.”

Do you know an inspiring woman in the industry who should be recognised for her achievements? 

Nominate her for the APAL Women in Horticulture Award, here.