Annabel Hamilton                          

Company: W B Hamilton & Sons

Role: Farmer

How did you get into your current role?

I was brought up on a mixed farm in the Scottish Borders, and after a few years away working in farm management in Lincoln and Northumberland I have now moved home to begin the succession process. It all started with harvest employment during the summer holidays when I was at University, I loved driving the big machinery and being outside! And from there I decided to go into farm management.

Tell us about a typical day at work for you.  

Each day begins with feeding the cattle. After that every day is different. During peak times of the season, I can be found on the sprayer or in a tractor.  I can keep busy in the office organising machinery to be serviced and maintained as well as buying fertiliser and selling grain.

 What changes have you seen in agriculture in recent years about gender bias? Do you think that more doors are being opened for women to become operators or leaders in agriculture?

From when I started there has definitely been an increase in women involved in the industry, but the balance is not there in the workplace. There are many doors being opened with more and more women taking on agricultural roles within many different businesses – this is exciting and a step in the right direction!

 The theme of international women’s day this year is “Embracing Equity”, Do you think the industry has changed to allow women to have similar opportunities? Or is there still some things to improve on? 

With the shortage of labour becoming a major challenge in UK Agriculture it has never been more important to encourage all young people into the industry. If you are motivated and enthusiastic you have the same opportunities as everyone else. Life is what you make it.

What’s your favourite part of your job? 

I thoroughly enjoy interacting with people and I do this on a daily basis. Whether it is with staff, mechanics, grain traders or agronomists. I also enjoy learning which in agriculture there is always something new and exciting coming to the industry.

 What’s your proudest achievement in your working life so far? 

Passing my BASIS and FACTS qualifications were a real achievement for me, but I am proud of my journey through agriculture which has led me to come home.

What is the best advice you’ve been given since starting in agriculture?  

I have been giving a lot of advice over the years. But I do stand by prior planning prevents poor performance.

What advice would you give to women who have an interest in agriculture but aren’t sure if it’s right for them?  

There are so many different avenues of agriculture which is what makes it so exciting! With technology moving forward and new challenges facing us all the time one day is never the same.

  • Research different agricultural businesses and the roles within in them
  • Find a mentor – there are many people (both men and women) who are more than willing to help young people enter the industry
  • Be confident and never feel out of place.
  • Enjoy being involved in an industry which is adaptive, challenging and forward-thinking

Do you have any work goals for 2023? 

We have been needing a new general-purpose shed recently so beginning that process is definitely at the top of the list.

What about life outside of work? What do you do when you’re not at work? 

I enjoy spending time with my family along with cooking when I have the time. My husband and I enjoy walking the dog at the beach which we are lucky enough to live close by.

Sheena Thomson

Company: GWB Fullerton & Son

Role: Farmer

How did you get into your current role?

 I grew up on my family farm and loved being outside and helping from a young age. In the Easter holidays, I always helped with lambing. When I left school I did a BA in Hospitality Management, it just wasn't for me. I then went to study Agricultural in Edinburgh. At home the shepherd left so I applied for the job sending my CV to my parents not stating who I was and that's how I started.

Tell us about a typical day at work for you.  

The beauty of farming is that every day is different and presents new challenges. There are never two days the same. My first job every day is to check all the animals are ok. After that, the jobs vary depending on the season (lambing, calving, silage or harvest time. At the moment it's just the "winter routine" of feeding and bedding.

What changes have you seen in agriculture in recent years about gender bias? Do you think that more doors are being opened for women to become operators or leaders in agriculture?

I am glad to say that there have been substantial changes in the gender balance in my career over the years. I have been in the industry for 26 years and it’s definity improved. 30 years ago you would have been told "it's not a job for a women", "you can't do that you're a girl" or "you won't manage that". Thankfully, I don't hear these comments anymore. Now a few of my neighbours are female farmers and there are more women going to study agricultural. The industry is crying out for young talented people in all sectors from milking people, tractor operators, and stock people to agricultural engineers.

The theme of international women’s day this year is “Embracing Equity”, Do you think the industry has changed to allow women to have similar opportunities? Or is there still some things to improve on? 

The industry has changed to allow women the same opportunities. Technology has been the main thing (bedding machines, power tools hydraulic sheep crate etc). Farming is much more mechanised now. The JCB Telehandler does all my lifting for me. It's the most important machine on the farm. There is still some way to go in equality. You still sometimes get people coming onto the farm asking "where's the farmer?"

What’s your favourite part of your job? 

My favourite part of my job is in the spring lambing and calving time. I love seeing new life on the farm. Watching the lambs and calves dancing in the fields.

What’s your proudest achievement in your working life so far? 

The proudest achievement is having my three children. In my working life it's been hard at times trying to juggle everything, farming and children. It's not been easy but I am extremely lucky with a great support network and good people round me. It did take true grit and determination as I was told "women can't have it all ". Now my kids are older they ove helping me on the farm, well I think they do.

What is the best advice you’ve been given since starting in agriculture?  

Look after yourself and don't let things get you down. See the bigger picture.

What advice would you give to women who have an interest in agriculture but aren’t sure if it’s right for them?  

Any women interested in agricultural give it a try. It's a great industry to be in. You can learn so many different skills.

Do you have any work goals for 2023? 

My goal for the future is to make sure there is succession for one or more of my children to take on the farm if they wish.

What about life outside of work? What do you do when you’re not at work? 

If I am not working, I am transporting the girls or my son to their hobbies (mum's taxis). I love spending time with my family and they are growing up fast. We make sure we get a family holiday to spend time together and can recharge the batteries.

 

 

Kirsty Sinclair 

Company/Farm: P A Sinclair, Dalrannoch 

Role: Partner in the family croft

 

How did you get into your current role?

I’m the 5th generation to work on the Croft and run it as a partnership between my dad and myself. 

Tell us about a typical day at work for you?

No two days are the same, to be honest! We have 30 in-calf Aberdeen Angus cows, an Aberdeen Angus bull and 30 in-lamb blackface sheep on the Croft so a typical day just now starts with feeding.

We have recently built two tiny cabins on the Croft as well, so if we have guests checking in or out I’ll deal with that next.

With 30 cows about to calve, keeping a close eye on the herd is important so we can help out if needed.

I also work for the family plant and contracting business alongside my Dad and older brother so if I’m needed with the Fastrac and trailer I’ll head to wherever they are! 

What changes have you seen in agriculture in recent years with regard to gender bias? Do you think that more doors are being opened for women to become operators or leaders in agriculture?

 Although there still is a bias towards agriculture being a male profession, I definitely think there’s been a change in females in the industry in the last few years. It’s more common for females to be involved in not only the admin side of things but the physical work as well which is good. 

I’m lucky to have been brought up being encouraged to try anything I want to which helps when working in a male-dominated industry. I think there’s still a long way to go for females to be known as leaders in agriculture, but hopefully, it will continue to move forward in a positive direction! 

The theme of international women’s day this year is “Embracing Equity”, Do you think the industry has changed to allow women to have similar opportunities? Or are there still some things to improve on?

I think the industry has helped encourage females to join and have similar opportunities to men, I’ve been to a couple ‘women in agriculture’ workshops myself, but I think a lot of it is down to the individual.

Females maybe sometimes show more enthusiasm, which is a positive thing, and if you love what you do you should definitely stick at it regardless of your gender. I think there will always be ways to improve, and hopefully more opportunities for women to learn about, and be welcomed into the industry. 

What’s your favourite part of your job?

I love springtime - new life on the farm, longer, brighter days and if you’re lucky some sunny weather!

What’s your proudest achievement in your working life so far?

I think just in general, being skilled in different aspects of the job. Whether it be working machinery, feeding or helping animals being born, knowing I’m needed and reliable makes me proud of myself which is something I’ve probably not thought about much! 

What is the best advice you’ve been given since starting in agriculture?

Keep trying and ask for advice when you need it. There’s always more than one way to do something and learning from other, more experienced farmers has given me a lot of helpful tips that I can now use myself. 

What advice would you give to women who have an interest in agriculture but aren’t sure if it’s right for them?

Go for it! If you never try, you’ll never know! Don’t let the fact that you’re female put you off, if anything it’s a powerful thing that you can bring skills and a mindset to a job that a man might not necessarily have.

Do you have any work goals for 2023?

We’re hoping to open a tearoom in the village so that’s a big goal for this year and I’d also like to get more experienced in operating the diggers. 

What about life outside of work? What do you do when you’re not at work?

I love watching and playing rugby and I’m the captain of Oban Lorne Ladies rugby team. I also love baking and make birthday cakes for friends and family when I have the time!