Mid Canterbury dairy farmer Rebecca Miller is on a mission to connect the agriculture sector with a new online platform set to launch to connect farmers with primary industry events.

“Landeve is an online platform to bridge connections and unify the primary industry.

“It is about communication, connection, collaboration and community,” Miller says.

Miller, a Dairy Woman of the Year finalist, saw the platform as a solution to the disconnection often felt by farmers in the agriculture sector.

With the often transient nature of dairy farming, it is often difficult for people to integrate into new communities. Miller sees events as a way for people to feel included.

“I feel a lot of people feel lonely, and that stems from disconnection.

"Rural communities can be quite cliquey, and I just want inclusion.

“That’s a massive driver for me.”

While events are often listed on industry websites and social media platforms, the primary industry lacks a single platform where all related events can be listed in one place.

Because of this, sometimes farmers miss events simply because they don’t know they are on, Miller says.

The website will allow farmers to search events by area, industry, and date.

Basic membership will be free, or members can upgrade to access a mentorship portal and their own dashboard.

Miller plans to add a forum to the website as a place for farmers to chat about the industry and the challenges they face safely and privately.

The Landeve website is set to launch later this month.

by Claire Inkson