More women entering farming, but barriers remain, says Suffolk dairy farmer
She says it's still perceived as a 'male-dominated space' but that this is changing.
A first-generation dairy farmer in Suffolk says more women are entering agriculture, but warns it is still difficult for newcomers to break into the industry.
Katharine Salisbury, who is also a vet and cheesemaker, said farming has historically been male-dominated, but attitudes have shifted over recent decades.
“Historically, it was a very male-dominated profession… There definitely has been a progression towards more diversity in the profession, 100%, probably more acceptance that females can do jobs just as well.”
High costs and limited openings
Ms Salisbury said she and her husband started their own farming business 21 years ago, describing the process as challenging without an agricultural background.
“It’s very expensive. Opportunities are fewer and far between,” she said. “Council farms… are much more affordable, but so oversubscribed. Opportunities just come up and go so quickly.”
Despite this, she believes opportunities for women entering agriculture are now comparable to those for men.
“Certainly now I’d say it’s probably equal opportunities for new entrants,” she said. “I wouldn’t say there is, in this day and age, discrimination if you are a new female wanting to enter into the industry.”
She added that her own business had recently taken on a female apprentice who is new to agriculture but “very passionate about it, very able”.
Public perception yet to catch up
Ms Salisbury suggested public perception has been slower to change than the industry itself.
“I think there is still a public perception that most farmers are male, that most tractor drivers are male,” she said.
“But things are changing… it is an equal opportunities profession and plenty of young women can go into it.”
“Women have earned respect”
Reflecting on her early career, Ms Salisbury said she sometimes encountered sexism and felt she had to prove herself.
“I did come up against quite a lot of sexism… some older generation farmers would look at me and say, ‘Are you sure you can do this?’” she said.
“I almost had to earn my trust and earn my place and be that bit better to be accepted.”
She believes progress has largely come through a broader cultural shift rather than one defining moment.
“I think it is a natural shift and general perception and acceptance and recognition,” she said.
“And maybe women have earned respect by doing the job and people realising they can do it just as well.”