This article appreared in the technolgy section of the SMH

Wide open cyberspace brings farm to the city
DANICA LEYS‘S minimalist office in a North Ryde commercial district does not get much further from the farm gate.

But it is a sign of the times. The solicitor took out a statewide country women’s award last night – not for mustering or harvesting, but for tweeting.

As co-developer of the online farming forum AgChatOz, the 32-year-old believes social networking sites can help close the gap between food producers and city folk walking the supermarket aisles.

”There’s no disputing that there’s definitely a divide there and that divide has probably grown over the years,” she said.

…….  Urban dwellers traditionally had more relatives in country areas, and when they visited them they developed a connection to and understanding of rural life and food production, Ms Leys said. ”That happens less and less. AgChatOz, I think, helps bridge that divide.”

At Parliament House in Sydney last night, Ms Leys was named the winner of the 2012 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation NSW and ACT Rural Women’s Awards for her skill at the keyboard.

Wide open cyberspace brings farm to the city