Working for a more equitable farming industry

 

Abi Kay

Abi Kay
Deputy editor, Farmers Weekly

About the campaign

Level the Field is a campaign to make agriculture fairer, more equitable and more inviting for everyone.

By engaging people and organisations across our industry, Level the Field will champion inclusivity for the benefit of farm businesses and all who work in them.

We aim to offer solutions to the challenges of attracting, retaining and developing talent, supported by key partners in the industry through workshops, training guides, events and more.

If you want to get involved with the campaign, as a sponsor, ambassador, or any kind of supporter, please get in touch with Anna Eccleston - anna.eccleston@markallengroup.com

Women in Farming

There are many women working across the board within agriculture in a variety of roles, but we recognise that our industry can always do more to attract more women to farming careers and make it a more inclusive environment. 

As part of our Level the Field campaign, we seek to engage all people and organisations across our industry, men and women alike, to bring about change that will make agriculture fairer, more equitable and more inviting for women. 

Throughout the course of 2024, we will be publishing a series of digital guides, offering practical support to farm businesses that want to attract, retain, develop and champion female staff.

 The guides will look at the commercial benefits of having diverse teams, and cover the following topics:

  • Improving recruitment practices
  • Improving working practices
  • Improving physical conditions on site
  • Developing a code of conduct for your business
  • Carrying out a cultural assessment of your business
  • Succession for women

The campaign

NEWS

Exclusive survey: Has working in ag become easier for women?

A landmark survey by Farmers Weekly has revealed that 60% of women believe “industry attitude” is preventing them from achieving their career goals – an increase from 52% when we…

BUSINESS

Why don’t women own farmland and does it matter?

Who owns the UK’s farmland? Answering this question is more difficult than you might imagine, with data either closed to the public or not gathered in the first place. And…

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Farm safety: Is there a level playing field for women?

Farm safety has become a much-discussed topic in recent years, and with good reason. Despite numerous safety campaigns, agriculture statistically remains the nation’s most dangerous industrial occupation. What is perhaps…

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Can better working practices help overcome labour shortages?

Agriculture is facing a number of labour challenges in 2024, with many farmers and those in ancillary industries struggling to recruit and retain staff. In recent decades, a high proportion…

NEWS

How easy is it to become an ag leader as a woman?

Agriculture has made great strides in recent years when it comes to female representation in leadership roles, with several notable women holding the top spots in commercial and political farming…

Guides

A comprehensive guide to carrying out a cultural assessment on farm

Read now

A comprehensive guide to improving working practices

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A comprehensive guide to female-friendly recruitment

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A comprehensive guide to physical working conditions

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A comprehensive guide to creating a code of conduct

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Research: Women in farming

Read report
 
 
 

Supported by

Women in farming - their words

 

Want to get involved with the campaign as a sponsor, ambassador, or supporter?