Research aimed at recognizing, encouraging, enhancing, and harnessing the skills and contributions of women in the Australian grains industry involved a number of women in Victoria in focus groups, telephone interviews, and questionnaire surveys. Results indicate that women perceived themselves as providing guidance, operational assistance, planning, health and safety functions, enterprise activities, and reliability to farm operations, and that they were available 24 hours a day. Two role categories were identified, traditional and contemporary. Women in the grains industry were generally highly educated, contributing business and administration skills, assisting in manual farm operations, earning off-farm income, and caring for the family. Women undervalued their skills and contributions and lacked the confidence and skills to be more involved. The majority of women expressed either a lack of interest in being involved or a lack of belief in their ability to impact on the agripolitical area. Approximately 27 percent of these women wanted something better and had the capabilities and determination to achieve it. Attracting these women to greater involvement in the grains industry will require, at the industry level, recognizing their capabilities; valuing their input; providing training, support such as mentors and role models, a professional work environment, and accessible, affordable childcare; and raising the profile of farming. (TD)