FOR the first time in two years , around 110 women – and men – joined the Network at Pavilions of Harrogate for an Autumn Gathering that offered valuable ‘ in-person ’ networking opportunities .

Stories of business success and challenge were shared and celebrated as a diverse panel of speakers reflected on their careers and personal journeys at an event kindly sponsored by Barclays bank and property agents Savills .

Setting the scene , Judith Wood , Barclays Agricultural Manager who chaired the event , explained how farming businesses are currently challenged by increased costs and cashflow pressures .

Judith said : “ Many are benefitting from high grain and livestock prices at the moment , but unfortunately this is being dashed by high fertiliser , fuel and feed prices , and also the labour shortage and the impact that is having on our industry too .”

Strawberry grower Annabel Makin-Jones told of how new technology is helping her address labour shortages that

Speakers ( L-R ) Annabel Makin-Jones , Sally Shortall , Sophie Jenkinson , Dr Diane Brown , Alice Liddle

have affected her business at Micklefield near Leeds .

Having added value to the family farm between arable crop cycles by growing strawberries , Annabel invested heavily to switch from growing plants in the ground to a tabletop system under her Annabel ’ s Deliciously British brand which she launched two years ago . Now , she is looking to introduce robots at the end of her strawberry packing lines .

Annabel said : “ Technology can be a real pain initially to get everyone on board , but if we don ’ t change with the times

we will get left behind . We have to embrace this , especially with the staff shortages we are seeing .”

Sally Shortall , Duke of Northumberland Professor of Rural Economy at the University of Newcastle ’ s Centre for Rural Economy presented findings from her government and EU research projects into the role of women in agriculture . She explained that there is still a cultural norm where farms get left to sons and the majority of senior leaders within the industry are men , yet women who have married into farming

are heavily influencing farming practices as progressive and innovative entrepreneurs .

Sally explained : “ They have important roles in decision making and developing alternative income streams . They are also driving regenerative farming . Women marrying in really brings a fresh pair of eyes . They look at the farm differently and they see the opportunities .”

Addressing how the role of women can be better recognised , Sally added : “ Change isn ’ t going to happen on its own . We need policies , we need drive , we need Defra ( the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs ) to take positive action and not only for reasons of equality . To achieve its agricultural vision , it has to start looking at all the players on the bench .”

A retail perspective came from Alice Liddle and Sophie Jenkinson from the farming team of Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons . They explained how Morrisons is the UK ’ s biggest food manufacturer , that it sources produce directly from 3,000 British farmer suppliers and it aims to be the first supermarket to be directly supplied by only carbon ‘ net zero ’ UK farms by 2030 .

Alice and Sophie explained how the retailer had sought to support its farmer suppliers

during the Covid-19 pandemic by making payments more frequently to its small business suppliers to aid their cashflow .

Reflecting on their personal challenges , Sophie , who is not from a farming background , admitted she suffers from “ imposter syndrome ” and wants to learn everything there is to know about UK agriculture . Alice , whose family farm at Stainburn near Harrogate and supply grass-fed Liddle Lamb to Fodder farm shop at the Great Yorkshire Showground , said she deals with her own anxieties by taking time out of the daily hustle and bustle to talk to people she trusts both inside and outside the business .

The gathering , held on Tuesday ( 12th October 2021 ) was drawn to a close by Kate Dale , Co-ordinator of the Women in Farming Network who said : “ The overriding message from me is , you have to set yourself apart , mark your work with excellence , make that your goal . It ’ s a journey , but you will get there . The qualities we all need are determination , resilience , a sense of humour and a willingness to listen and learn .”

A short video from the Women in Farming Autumn Gathering is available for press use and can be downloaded via https :// we . tl / t-iu7IhSipgA