History of Women in Agriculture

 Women have played a crucial role in the history of agriculture in the United Kingdom, contributing labour and knowledge to sustain the land and communities, yet often their stories remain in the shadows. Women’s journey in agriculture goes back thousands of years, from the very start of farming around 10,000 BC to the modern day, where their roles have constantly evolved in response to societal and technological changes. 

 

Traditionally, rural Britian had a clear division of labour between men and women. While men handled heavy field work and large animals, woman would be in charge of smaller livestock tasks. They would have been indispensable during harvest time, gathering crops in a communal effort. Known dismissively as the ‘farmers wife’ these women would have ensured that the farm functioned smoothly, especially helping with book keeping, however their contributions were not fairly recognised.  




The advancement of mechanical equipment in the 19th and 20th centuries with innovations such as the combine harvester revolutionised agriculture. Machines took over what was once an ‘all hands-on deck’ job, like gathering crops. This would have reduced the need for seasonal labour and therefore reduced women’s involvement in harvest. 

 

The real shift for woman in agriculture came with the World Wars. With men drafted into the armed forces, the Women’s Land Army (WLA) became a symbol of female resilience and capability. Initially the WLA was fuelled by volunteers, but by December 1941, woman could be conscripted to serve their country by working the land. By 1944, more than 80,000 ‘Land Girls’ were toiling long hours, milking cows, sowing seed, and harvesting crops to sustain a war-ravaged nation. 

 

Initially met with scepticism, the women’s impact was undeniable. Even the national farmers union, who at first voiced their doubts about their abilities, was won over by the women’s grit and determination. The WLA’s work extended into 1950, well beyond the end of the war, due to post-war food shortages. Though women were expected to vacate their roles for returning soldiers, the seeds of change had been planted. Their experience and the stories they passed down inspired new and the current generations. 


 

The legacy of these wartime heroes reached the feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s. inspired by their mother’s stories, women began to push back against inequality, campaigning for greater recognition and equal rights. The women’s land army may have ended, but it ignited a conversation about gender roles in agriculture. Today the landscape continues to evolve, but it carries with it the echo of the Land Girls’ hard-fought contributions. 

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