Since the day-long seminar was held earlier this month she has had offers from parents wishing to sponsor other girls so they can take part, and the Otago Lakes Central Police Youth Aid has contacted her about future courses.
After Southern Rural Life's article (July 10) appeared online and in social media, she even received a call from a mother in Nelson who was interested in a future course and asked if she had experience with autistic children (which she has).
Ms Douglas leases a few hectares in Kingston and runs an agri-tourism Real Country venture to give tourists a farming experience.
She ran her first day-long workshop for eight girls aged 11 and older during the school holidays, some of whom came from farming or rural backgrounds.
''It was amazing,'' Ms Douglas said.
''I was surprised there was so much engagement and interest.
''I didn't know how the day would go or how many girls would come, but they loved it and thrived.
''One of the girls taking part told her mother that she had always wanted to be a fly fishing guide like her uncle, but since doing the course she now wants to be a farmer and is keen to help out on the Real Country farm next school holidays.''
One girl came from Middlemarch, while another girl who had recently moved from Auckland to Te Anau, wanted to do the day as her friends were from farming backgrounds and she wanted to learn what they knew.
''The girls bonded and got to know each other and gained confidence and self-esteem.
''Encouraging girls to get into farming is a surprising and positive outcome.''
From the enthusiastic feedback she received, she is considering holding further workshops for both girls and boys, and possibly overnight camps and weekend events as well.
Her father John Douglas helped with the stock handling and shooting, while Tara Lawrence, of Farmlands Gore, helped out and Farmlands loaned her a tent in case of bad weather.
Her sister Alexis Broughton (15) also helped and Nokomai Station handyman Danny Hayes showed the girls how to strain up a wire fence and tie a figure eight.
The girls were split into groups and learned about horses, securing a load on a trailer, cracking a stockwhip, sheep handling and the best way to hammer in nails. They learned to change tyres, and how to use their body weight to loosen the nuts.
They also jump-started a tractor and tried target shooting with an air rifle and claybird shooting with a shot gun.
''Health and safety was an absolute priority.''
She also received calls from several families who wanted to sponsor girls for the next course.
Otago Lakes Central Youth Aid Officer Constable Tamah Alley also contacted Ms Douglas about possibly holding future courses.
Const Alley said police had in the past been involved with programmes where young people were exposed to animals, animal training and supervision, in particular with horses.
''There is a significant amount of research that shows a link between working with animals and increased empathy, self-awareness and confidence.''
Ms Douglas said as she was getting so much interest in the finishing school, she was hoping to contact Young Farmers, Federated Farmers and schools to see if they were interested in coming on board.
