Small business in any industry can be a challenge and as owners of Burdekin Growers Services, Eileen List and Jenny Cook know what it means to roll up their sleeves and work across a variety of roles in the business. The business will celebrate 30 years in 2024 and the mother daughter duo have managed to navigate the many ups and downs in both the business and their personal lives to reach this major milestone in an industry they say can be challenging, undervalued and unrepresented.
At 17 years of age, Eileen was offered a position with a small business that distributed fuel and fertiliser. She was given a book and encouraged to learn about fertilisers and chemicals, but it’s the hands-on knowledge and experience she gained from the people around her, learning in the field from “the best of the best”, that led her to a position she could see a future in.
“I shaped my career by learning from life experiences and by listening to and learning from many in the industry,” Eileen said. “It is a pleasure to work with farmers; they are the most valuable part of our rural industry.”
Eileen was then inspired to start Burdekin Growers Services when Jenny finished high school, handing down that knowledge and experience, and Jenny says she believed she would have always ended up in agriculture.
“You can never have better role models than your parents and family and mine have shown me not to be scared of hard work,” Jenny said. “I love being a part of one of the most important yet challenging industries in Australia. Agriculture isn’t so much a job; it’s my life.”
The pair are passionate about inspiring the next generation of agriculture talent, encouraging young people to be the masters of their own destiny as they enter the industry.
“Like every industry, most of our knowledge comes from experience,” said Jenny. “Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something and don’t be afraid to ask someone who might.”
Knowing they have the trust of their loyal customers, Eileen and Jenny are passionate advocates for agriculture and Burdekin Growers Services is proof of their hard work and dedication to the industry.
Jenny Cook and Eileen List of Burdekin Growers Services
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
