Chanelle O'Sullivan, the person behind the Farming Mums NZ group grew up in Auckland attending high school on the North Shore.
She knew she wanted a career in agriculture and at 17 headed to Waikato to study for a certificate in agriculture.
She eventually ended up in the South Island where she met her husband, David.
Until recently they were working on a deer farm at Mayfield, but moved to Raincliffe Station in South Canterbury for a different situation to work with deer.
When she took over the Facebook page, Farming Mums had a following of just a few hundred. Mrs O'Sullivan altered it to become a group forum and it has since been growing every day as a result.
''I wanted to create a place where women could talk about things and not be judged because they said something silly.
Mrs O'Sullivan believes there is some segregation in rural communities these days and communication is the way to break down barriers.
''Living rurally can be quite a challenge. These days it's not so much about going to greet your neighbours with baking any more,'' she said.
''Communication is the answer and though we may be doing it by electronic means, it is still people talking to others.''
Some of those conversations have led on to women meeting face to face and Mrs O'Sullivan has now established 19 regions throughout the country and is looking for women to head these groups.
''If people want to meet they can. The screen is a bit of an icebreaker to start with.''
Despite sharing the kitchen with a toddler (daughter, Isabelle), a new puppy, a pet lamb and a cat, and expecting her second child next month, Mrs O'Sullivan still found time to talk, for she is passionate about getting recognition for the work women do on farms.
At present she is seeking sponsors for the first Farming Mums NZ conference. It will be held in Methven on June 25 and 26 next year.
A survey through the website has found the topics women want on the programme.
Many requested a session on dressing for self-confidence.
''While we might wear the gumboots and the track pants on the farm, we do want to put on a dress too.''
Also on the agenda will be cooking demonstrations, a butchery course and life-coaching, helping women to decide where they want to go with their life, Mrs O'Sullivan said.
She hopes the conference will be both motivational and a social occasion.
The Farming Mums site continues to expand. It now has a buy-and-sell section and many small businesses started by women get the chance for good promotion.
A qualified veterinary nurse, Mrs O'Sullivan has been helping out at a Geraldine surgery. She is also studying for a diploma in agribusiness management but admits it is a slow process.
This year she attended a Federated Farmers' leadership course in Wellington, using the time while she was there to make contact with Rural Women NZ.
By Maureen Bishop