Channeling grief into opportunity with Sallie Jones

Sallie and her dad back in the day. IMAGE CREDIT: Sallie Jones

Candid and open, Sallie Jones isn't afraid of telling her story. 

She's another of our powerhouse Women in Ag for the month of March, and if you're familiar at all with her story - maybe you buy Gippsland Jersey milk, or you've had one of their famous milkshakes, or maybe you're part of Women in Gippsland - then you know what we're talking about.

But if Sallie Jones is a new name for you, she's a farmer's daughter, a farmer, an innovator, a mum, a mental health advocate, and a leader.

In 2016, her dad took his own life. Through the grief, Sallie wanted to honour the legacy her dad had built, even though at the time, the industry was entering a dairy crisis. Gippsland Jersey was born a few months later in partnership with another generational dairy farmer, Steve Ronalds.
 
Gippsland Jersey is an ode to supporting local producers and creating premium products, and it is a result of the community that rally behind them, because they can see just how passionate Sallie is.

She's been on one hell of a ride so far, and we can wait for you to hear all about it.

In this conversation, Sallie discusses:

• Her journey since her father's death

• What was it like growing up in Lakes Entrance?

• Studying PR at University and her time working at a PR Agency in Melbourne

• How Gippsland Jersey was started

• The ups and downs of owning a business

• The role of women in the agriculture industry

This episode contains themes of suicide and mental health, please reach out to Lifeline, This Is A Conversation Starter or someone you trust if you need help.