From city to country to DWN coordinator
It was the call of the land that saw Dairy Women’s Network’s newest staff member pack up her family from living the city life and head back to the family’s 830-cow dairy farm. Melissa Sinton, who has just taken over the role of DWN regional convenor coordinator for the lower North Island, was working in pharmacy in Rotorua three years ago, when she was encouraged to come back to the family farm in Arohena, south east of Te Awamutu. “As a mum of three young boys, it was an opportunity that was too good to pass up. Moving back to the farm was definitely something I did for myself, but more so for my family,” she said. So leaving behind her job and her studies in conservation and biodiversity, Sinton and her three sons Trae (13), Kaine (10) and Quinn (9) moved to her parents Vaughan and Tracy Sinton’s property Kennavara Farms Ltd. where Melissa started as a farm assistant and has since met new partner Roger. “I’ve really loved being back home and on the farm. It has opened up my eyes and given me an appreciation and understanding of the kinds of challenges that farmers face today – there are a fair few more pressures than there were when I was growing up,” she said. “I’ve had the full experience of getting up to milk the cows in the morning, getting in late at night and trying to raise a family at the same time, but it’s been good.” Melissa’s children are fifth generation on the farm and at Arohena School where she is also the Board of Trustees chair. With her newfound occupation, it wasn’t long before Melissa heard about Dairy Women’s Network and decided that the organisation’s philosophy of inspiring and supporting women to succeed in […]