Survey: How has farming changed for women in the past 10 years?
Farmers Weekly has launched a landmark survey to measure the progress which has been made for women in agriculture over the past ten years.
The views of women and men are being sought as part of the research, which builds on a similar survey carried out by Farmers Weekly in 2014.
The results from this survey will help form the basis of direction for a new Farmers Weekly campaign – Level The Field – which will seek to engage all people and organisations across our industry to bring about change that will make agriculture fairer, more equitable and more inviting for women.Â
Â
We’re seeking cross-industry involvement and representation and the campaign is already supported by the NFU, the CLA and crop production and grain marketing business Frontier Agriculture.
See also: Opinion: Celebrating the achievements of women in farming
Huge strides have already been made for women in farming over the past few decades, but problems still remain, such as:
- Low land ownership rates among women
- Resulting difficulty in accessing private finance or government support
- Difficulties in using equipment/work clothing/on-site facilities designed for men
- Lack of access to flexible working for childcare or other family needs
- Low representation in farming organisations at the highest levels
- Being overlooked for succession
- Being subjected to prejudice, either on farm or at farming events.
Level The Field will seek to offer solutions to these issues through an innovative set of measures, supported by key partners in the industry such as The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (Tiah), to be revealed in the new year.
For more information on how to get involved with the campaign, contact Farmers Weekly deputy editor Abi Kay – abi.kay@markallengroup.com.