Search For The Hidden Heroines Of Farming
Think of a farmer, and the image that comes to mind is probably a man. But a competition run by NFU Cymru being launched at this weeks Denbigh and Flint Show strives to change that by raising the profile of women in farming.
Rural women are being urged to enter the NFU Cymru /Natwest Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2008/09 competition, which is now in its twelfth year, has helped to celebrate the contribution of women in what is still a very male-dominated industry. This year's competition will be launched at Denbigh and Flint show on Thursday, 21 August, which is home territory to last year's winner Eurgain Jones, Beidiog Isa, Llansannan, Denbigh.
The reality today is that many farms are run in partnership, and the 'farmer' is not always a man. Women are not only running farms, but also in today's tough financial climate, often running a separate business or going out to work to bolster the family income, while juggling childcare and family life.
Previous winners have raised the profile of women in agriculture and used their success to reach out and encourage other women, says NFU Cymru's Public Relations Officer, Sarah Jones.
"Women in farming are still very much the hidden heroines of the industry. Very few want to claim the limelight, preferring instead to contribute behind the scenes. Many children have been raised on farms sitting on pushchairs watching mum pull calves or milk cows or drive the tractor. This competition is for ordinary women, who perhaps don't realise that what they are doing is extraordinary."
"Women make a tremendous contribution to farming and we want to recognise that," explained Martin Doyle, Natwest's Regional Agricultural Manager for Wales, the competition's sponsor. "It never fails to amaze me how women involved in farming manage to accomplish so much. If not farmers in their own right, many have set up alternative enterprises as farm incomes have fallen."
The winner will receive £500 and the two runners up £100. The closing date is Friday, 24 October 2008.
