Opinion: A ‘Wild’ group can help farming women prosper

The UN has declared 2026 the Year of the Woman Farmer.

So let’s start with the good news. It’s been 85 years since the first woman graduated in agricultural science in New Zealand.

Today, 55% of Lincoln University (NZ) students are women, compared with 64% of ag students in the UK.

Incredible initiatives have followed, such as the Women in Agriculture Network and the Agri-Women’s Development Trust in NZ.

See also: Opinion – farming struggles feel different when you’re ‘essential’

About the author

Kate Tomlinson

Kate Tomlinson was raised on a family beef and sheep farm in County Durham before attending Harper Adams University. Formerly a rural chartered surveyor, she moved to New Zealand in 2022 and has since worked in the dairy industry and in research. She now works for Map of Ag as an agricultural sustainability consultant and farms whenever she can.

Read more articles by Kate Tomlinson

But despite the advances, there are still gaps between the skills and networks these initiatives promote and the world in which many of us actually live. Land access, finance, childcare – the barriers are quiet, but they’re there.

Consider this tale. An old fish calls out to a younger fish: “How’s the water?” The young fish replies: “What the hell is water?”

When the barriers are so woven into the fabric of daily life they become almost impossible to name. Excellent programmes help – teaching women to swim harder, to navigate the current.

But if you think it’s all hunky-dory, take a minute. Try to see the water.

Scottish government research in 2023 found swimming against that current takes its toll.

One of the biggest barriers? Women’s confidence. So many are quietly brilliant – and doubting every bit of it.

Meanwhile, most have a girl gang around them, loudly cheering them on. Take the group here in mid-Canterbury.

A few of us farm girls started meeting to run and catch up over dinner.

Women turn up splattered with cow dung, others ready to dash off on call. The thing that keeps us coming back?

The way we back each other, learn from each other, continuously uplift each other.

Someone organises a session on investing and we say yes. Someone gets through to the regional Young Farmer of the Year competition and we are absolutely losing our minds about how incredibly brilliant she is.

What started as two is now nearly 40. We didn’t plan it. But we built something that helps us swim a little stronger – and I don’t think we’re unique.

Mentorship programmes and leadership pipelines are out there, but they’re not always accessible to us. The group you already have is.

So here’s my idea. I’m calling it “Wild”, for Worth, Insight, Lead and Door. Four questions. Your gang. Instead of “how was your day?” try:

• Worth One thing you are good at. If you struggle, ask the room. Research shows women consistently underestimate their abilities – so say it out loud, in a room that believes you.
• Insight One thing you have learned or know. The knowledge sat around your kitchen table is more extraordinary than you realise. Share it, listen hard.
• Lead One decision you made this week, or something that didn’t go to plan. Ask your mates: what do they think? Peer feedback builds self-awareness and that’s where leadership starts.
• Door Who are you holding it open for this week? Recommend her. Pass on the opportunity. She can’t walk through a door she doesn’t know exists.

Maybe you’re already doing some of these – sharing knowledge, uplifting, encouraging. And the things that feel uncomfortable?

Saying them out loud, owning decisions, opening doors – that’s what your group is for. Try the ones that scare you a little. Let me know how it goes.