Leading women from the food and farming sectors from around the
country will join Secretary of State for Wales at an event to celebrate Welsh
women’s contributions to British farming at the Royal Welsh Show
today (24 July).
Among those joining the Welsh Secretary will be former Welsh
Woman Farmer of the Year Abi Reader, founder of Halen Mon
(Anglesey Sea Salt) Alison Lea-Wilson and Dr Nerys Llewelyn
Jones, Managing Partner of Agri Advisor, each joining and driving
forward the discussion on promoting and increasing the number of
women looking to the industry for a rewarding career.
Secretary of State for Wales said:
Farming, like any industry, needs to attract new talent and
ideas and harness the skills of both young women and men.
Our event today provides us with an excellent opportunity to
celebrate the contribution women are making to farming - from
agricultural engineering to food production and advising
retailers and supermarkets.
With agricultural often perceived as a male-dominated industry,
it’s important we recognise the leading role women are playing.
Now I want to see the industry build on this and more women
taking on jobs in farming.
The event will provide a platform for discussion on a wide range
of issues relating to women in farming, including the barriers
women continue to face when starting and building a career in the
industry, and how to encourage more female students and women to
consider farming as a serious career choice.
Dairy farmer Abi Reader from Wenvoe in the Vale of Glamorgan will
attend the event. Ms Reader was crowned Wales Woman Farmer of the
Year at the Royal Welsh Show in 2016 - an award that seeks to
champion the contribution that women make to the agricultural
industry and to raise the profile of women in farming.
Ms Reader said:
Raising the profile of women in farming is important to help
girls of school age and above see the fantastic opportunities
to be had from working in the farming sector and inspire them
to become a part of it.
Too often farming is overlooked as a career choice by girls but
anyone can play a role in food production and countryside
management as long as you have the dedication and passion to do
it.
