WHAT came first, the chicken or the egg?
Kate Mason might be able to tell you, after all producing eggs is her passion.
The Nuffield Scholar and mother-of-three recently ventured to the east coast to participate in the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship (WABS).
As one of 25 participants from Australia and New Zealand, Ms Mason participated in the two-week course attending 55 sessions focused on agriculture, retail, business and personal development.
Ms Mason and her husband Rhys own a diversified rural enterprise in Kojonup including grain cleaning, value-added rolled oats and prime lamb businesses, and most notably a free range egg farm.
With a distinct passion for rural WA, Ms Mason's journey began in her role as a Nuffield Scholar, where she set out to understand how agriculture could strengthen its relationship with the Australian consumer.
After extensive travel with the Nuffield scholarship program, Ms Mason returned home with more questions than answers.
That was when she stumbled upon the WABS and saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Australian food supply chain.
She said it was an inspiring experience, providing her with amazing insight into the food supply chain, and was a great opportunity to network and make valuable contacts.
"We were onsite at the head office of Woolworths where we spent two weeks immersed in the culture of an amazing business," Ms Mason said.
"We had the best line-up of speakers I had ever seen, the consistency of them and value I got from each session was brilliant."
Ms Mason said the group attended field trips to supermarkets, a distribution centre and a cultural cruise on the Sydney Harbour.
A program highlight was the "Blow Torch" sessions where participants were given the opportunity to ask questions in an open environment from industry panels comprised of heads of trade from Woolworths, Choice, the Australian Farm Institute and the RSPCA, among others.
"Let's face it, we don't really have a relationship with the consumer anymore, it is now in the hands of the supermarkets," she said.
"They way forward is to build on our relationship with retailers as they are the shop front for Australian agriculture, especially Woolworths, who do their utmost to support the Australian farmer.
"The alternative to a supermarket duopoly will see foreign-owned companies like Aldi grow their market share."
She said it was important to reciprocate the support that Woolworths had for Australian farmers, or the industry would set itself up to miss opportunities.
And it was crucial that the agricultural industry work with the retailers because it provided a link with broader Australia.
"I understand we are an export country, but having a strong relationship with our fellow Australians will surely see a change in the political priority list," she said.
Ms Mason said egg farmers needed clear definitions surrounding egg production systems, coupled with methods for regulation.
She said there was also a need to push for truth in labelling.
"I think clarity around these issues will really benefit the egg industry," she said.
Ms Mason said she looked forward to completing her Nuffield Scholarship, and hoped to take a closer look at food labelling systems in other countries, as well as production definitions and how they were regulated.
"I have no doubt there is a bright future in agribusiness, that is what has me so excited and fuels my drive in our business," she said.
Ms Mason urged all farmers between the age of 20 and 35 to apply for the 2014 WABS, which she described as the opportunity of a lifetime.
