Dry Times, Hard Lessons: When Theory Meets Reality in Farm Education

The irony isn’t lost on me that while I’m teaching women to operate machines that help feed a nation, I can’t get a drop of water from my own tap. But perhaps that’s exactly the point – farming isn’t just about the good times when everything flows smoothly.

Here at Currency Creek, we’re facing what could politely be called a “water allocation challenge” (or what my grandfather would have called “a bloody nightmare”). Our 100,000-litre tank – which sounds impressive until it’s empty – was down to its last drops last week. Without a water delivery, we were two days away from having to abandon our home.

It’s been humbling to see how this story has resonated beyond our paddocks. I’ve spent time chatting with ABC Radio – first with Spence Denny and Caroline Horn on ABC Adelaide Evenings, then on the SA Country Hour with Caroline Horn, and finally with Jo Laverty on ABC Adelaide Afternoons (and yes, Jo knows exactly what I’m talking about, having been through our tractor training herself). You can listen to both interviews, below.

The interest from city folk in our situation has been unexpected but heartening – it shows that the urban-rural divide isn’t quite as wide as we sometimes think.

This situation has me thinking about what we really teach at Tractoring for Women. Yes, we cover the mechanical basics – how to operate the machinery, maintain it, troubleshoot when things go wrong. But perhaps the most valuable lesson is one that’s happening right now: farming is a master class in adaptation.

Water water hardly there and not a drop (for humans) to drink

Consider our current situation: we have bore water, but it’s so brackish it would destroy our pipes. So we adapt. I’m doing laundry in town, our son showers at the gym (bless him), and we’ve become expert water tacticians, treating every drop like liquid gold. This isn’t just survival; it’s practical problem-solving in action.

And isn’t that what agricultural education should really be about? Not just the sunny-day operations, but the full spectrum of challenges that come with working the land. When I’m teaching women how to operate tractors, we’re not just learning about machinery – we’re building confidence in decision-making, problem-solving, and yes, crisis management.

The water carriers who service our region are teaching us all a masterclass in triage and resource management. They’re prioritising homes with critically low supplies over those making precautionary bookings. It’s a real-world lesson in community resource management that no textbook could adequately convey.

As climate patterns shift and we face these challenges more frequently, it’s becoming clear that agricultural education needs to evolve. At Tractoring for Women, we’re not just teaching operation skills – we’re preparing women for the full spectrum of agricultural challenges. Because sometimes the most important skill isn’t knowing how to drive the tractor, but knowing when to park it and focus on more pressing issues.

Like managing your 14,000 litres of precious delivered water while waiting for rain that seems increasingly reluctant to fall.

For those in similar situations, here’s what we’re learning:

• Don’t wait until you’re desperate to arrange water delivery – carriers are booking out weeks in advance
• Be honest about your water levels when booking – this helps carriers prioritise effectively
• Consider alternative water sources for different uses (bore water for gardens, delivered water for household)
• Build community networks – we’re all in this together, and sharing resources and information is crucial

In the end, this drought is teaching us all that farming isn’t just about the practical skills – it’s about resilience, adaptation, and community. And those might be the most important lessons of all.

Image: Belle Baker celebrates the arrival of water, carted by Jamie Solly from JA & JL Solly Domestic Water Cartage, the only way she knows how – with sparkling wine!