A dairy farmer from the Southern Highlands and a beef producer from the Riverina are finalists for the 2020 NSW-ACT AgriFutures Rural Women's Award.
Southern Highlands dairy farmers Cressida Cains is the founder of Pecora Dairy, an artisan sheep milk dairy and cheesery.
Her project, Dairy Cocoon, is an online platform and support hub to assist farmers develop and produce unique branded products.
Narrandera beef farmer Tammy Galvin is a beef farmer whose project Riverina Women's Connect Network will bring together women, businesses and services through face-to-face networking events, a website and business directory, and online forums.
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said the NSW Government was proud to support the NSW-ACT AgriFuture Rural Women's Award and acknowledge the essential role women play in rural and regional industries, businesses and communities.
"Last year's national winner came from NSW and there's no reason why either of these two outstanding finalists can't bring the award back to NSW again," Mr Marshall said.
Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor it was a fantastic way to acknowledge these resilient women who are truly making a difference to people's lives in rural and regional NSW.
Westpac agribusiness regional general manager for southern NSW Sam Gaston said these awards played a significant role in recognising and celebrating the fundamental role women continue to play in bringing about change which help our rural industries thrive.
The NSW-ACT winner will be announced in May and will receive a $10,000 Westpac bursary to implement her project. The national winner will be announced in September.
The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award is supported by platinum partner Westpac and NSW-ACT state sponsors, Country Women's Association of NSW and the NSW Government.