SEVEN people located across the Western Plains have been selected for a leadership program set up to try and prepare local communities for future drought.

The women are among a total of 42 chosen for the federal government's Drought Resilient Leaders program in Western NSW.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the program - which commenced in early March - is designed to help members of the community put their heads together to drive action in their community to prepare for future drought.

“The program gives future leaders in rural and regional areas the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through leadership development and undertake community activities,” Minister Littleproud said.

The program is a partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Limited (ARLF).

After an extensive application process one of the people chosen to be a part of the program is Bourke resident and new Bourke Shire Councillor Grace Ridge.

As someone who was involved with multiple agriculture-based community organisations, Mrs Ridge said she had always wanted to do a course through the ARLF and the fact it was offering opportunities specific to her region made it particularly enticing.

"I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn new skills that I could bring back to my community," she said.

"During the time of the last drought, I was working in a government role and assisting a lot of primary producers. Meanwhile my husband's family and mine all worked on the land - it was a very difficult time.

"I know it won't be the last drought we have, so taking the learning from that time and taking it forward is really important."

Mrs Ridge, alongside Warren's Belinda Bel, Lake Cargelligo's Jacqueline Dutton, Bourke's Jessica Payton, Louth's Jessica Murray, and Narromine's Keiley Noble and Nano Moody, are among 32 leaders selected from the Parkes electorate.

Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton said it was great to see so many leaders from his electorate put their hand up to take part in the development program.

“This will only enrich our region, equipping these progressive locals with the skills they need to prepare their communities for future droughts,” Mr Coulton said.

On completion of the program, participants can also apply for a Community Engagement Grant for a local project to continue building drought resilience for their community.

Mrs Ridge said she was enjoying the opportunity to expand her network of like-minded individuals across the western region and learning how to put together grant applications.

"Meeting more people can only help to take things forward with your community," she said.

"Also, the program takes you through how to do those applications and flesh out project ideas which can be really helpful because lots of us might not have done them before and those that have can learn how to make their applications competitive.

"At the moment some ideas raised have included having an event with guest speakers as well as a podcast to talk people through drought prevention ideas."

According to Mrs Ridge, she and the other people doing the program have done one three day session online so far.

She said this will be followed by another two to three day session in late March plus a webinar and capped off with another three day session in early April.

"The last one will supposedly be in person at the Mutawintji National Park - hopefully we can all get together if conditions allow," she said.