Neurodiversity in farming takes centre stage at roundtable

Neurodiversity in agriculture took a significant step forward on 15 July, as industry leaders gathered to shape the next phase of the Level the Field campaign, now in its second year.

A coalition of agricultural organisations, farm businesses, campaigners and neurodiversity advocates came together at an industry roundtable to support the 2025 focus of Level the Field, a Farmers Weekly campaign launched in 2024 to drive inclusivity in farming.

Initially highlighting gender equality, the campaign now seeks to address the barriers and opportunities for neurodivergent individuals in the agricultural sector.

See also: Find all our Level the Field campaign info in one place 

Representatives from Lantra, AHDB, NFU, Defra, Arla Foods, and others attended the roundtable to contribute ideas for the upcoming neurodiversity charter, which is due to be released later this year.

Delegates collaborated to examine how the sector could adapt in areas such as communication, recruitment, training, mental health and social engagement to become more inclusive.

The research

An estimated 15-20% of the general population is neurodiverse, including having autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia, but Farmers Weekly research suggests this figure may reach 36% within the farming community.

The Level the Field campaign aims to build greater awareness, remove stigma and enable employers to support diverse working styles and needs.

Liz Haines, a Staffordshire dairy farmer and leader of this year’s campaign, said: “Really, what the research shows is that we need more research.

“I’m not an academic, and my Nuffield report only really scratches the surface of what this all means, but these areas all have big implications for the big issues in farming today.

“Mental health, succession, recruitment and retention, safety, compliance… if one-third of people in farming are neurodiverse, we need to know more about what this actually means for the industry.”

As part of her Nuffield scholarship, Liz travelled internationally to explore how other countries support neurodiverse individuals in agricultural settings.

“What I brought back from my Nuffield travels is to treat people how they want to be treated, and create spaces where people can thrive.

“All of the initiatives I came across on my Nuffield focused on people’s strengths and treating people as individuals.

“If they can make this work on a pig farm in the outback of Australia, then I’m sure we can make it work on our farms in the UK.

“We have got a chance now to make a difference to neurodiverse people in agriculture.”

How neurodiverse traits can become an asset

Caragh McMurty © MAG/Colin Miller

The keynote speaker at the roundtable was Caragh McMurtry, a former Olympic rower, Team GB athlete, and co-founder of Neurodiverse Sport.

Diagnosed with autism in adulthood, Caragh has become a prominent advocate for systemic change.

“Sport provided a space where I could socialise with a purpose.

“I became good at my sport because it became my special interest.

“If you have the right scaffolding, traits of neurodiversity can become an asset.

“Starting Neurodiverse Sport showed me how neurodiverse considerations should be woven into sport at all levels across the UK.

“Systems must be created to support people in the mainstream, even retrospectively. We need systemic change, not just change from one motivated individual.”

Caragh’s experience highlighted how workplaces and industries can evolve to accommodate diverse thinking and strengths, which has direct relevance to farming.

“Society often excludes those who don’t fit into the normal and perfect mould of a person, but neurodiversity has always existed, and we need to be aware of how things are changing and how we can include everybody.”

Pledge support

An upcoming neurodiversity charter will invite organisations across the supply chain to pledge support and commit to implementing inclusive practices.

“Signing the charter is not a guarantee that all commitments are currently met by your organisation, but that you pledge to recognise the principles as important best practice and commit to working towards achieving them,” said Liz.

She explains that the core aim is about building a better understanding and support within teams.

“This campaign isn’t about more people seeking diagnoses; it’s about helping teams understand their members better and support them at work.

Liz Haines © MAG/Colin Miller

“It’s less about labels and more about understanding people as they are and making that information as accessible as possible to businesses.”

One delegate from the NFU noted: “The more we can give confidence to our farmers, the better.

“Sometimes people just don’t have the language to use when asking about or talking about neurodiversity. Getting conversations going like this is so important.”

Sam Parris, a dairy farmer with Arla, echoed the desire for normalisation within the industry.

“What I would love to see is an industry where you don’t have to declare you are neurodiverse.

“I just want to see an industry where you are just a good farmer.

Sam Parris © MAG/Colin Miller

“We just all need to be good at what we do and be successful in our own right, it shouldn’t matter what neurodiversity you have.”

Despite growing support, the campaign faces challenges in overcoming stigma.

“We work in an industry where even the term neurodiversity is disputed, and that is a concern and something we need to overcome,” said Anna Eccleston, commercial director and project leader at Farmers Weekly.

“I’ve even had a comment which was ‘it’s too soon to start talking about neurodiversity’, which shocked me.” 

Breaking the stigma

Liz concluded: “Breaking down the stigma is what Level the Field is all about.

“Supporting neurodiverse people shouldn’t be a tickbox exercise, but something that is celebrated.”