Celebrating women in horticulture

For Lucy Wilkins, the journey into the berry industry was driven by both opportunity and passion. "I've been in the berry industry for just over four years. Before joining Angus Soft Fruits, I was working in cereal breeding," she explains. "I was attracted to the industry because there was so much potential to make a lasting impact on growers—and, of course, it's a tastier crop than wheat!"

Although agriculture is traditionally male-dominated, Wilkins has found the industry welcoming. However, she acknowledges the gender imbalance. "It's very common to be the only woman in the room, which is a clear sign of the disparity in numbers," she says. "Early in my career, I sometimes needed to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. But I've learned that confidence, knowledge, and persistence are powerful tools. By continuously building my skills, staying informed, and speaking up, I've been able to establish myself in this industry."

A change in the industry
Encouragingly, Wilkins sees this dynamic shifting. "Yes! Within our business, we see lots of ambitious, enthusiastic young women joining who want to develop a career in the berry industry," she says. "As we see more women entering the field, we gain greater diversity of thinking. Women in the future won't be in the minority, and that will help the industry grow."

Lucy is keen to inspire more young women to consider careers in agriculture. "There is such a diversity of roles within the industry, and they all contribute to a successful supply chain—from helping growers to be profitable and sustainable to delivering a healthy, tasty fruit to consumers. It's an incredibly rewarding industry to work in."

Celebrating International Women's Day
As International Women's Day (IWD) highlights the theme of 'accelerate action,' she believes raising awareness is key. "We all have a role to play in promoting the benefits of working in our industry and raising the profile of the diversity of roles within the sector," she notes. "Whether it's speaking about our work in the media, using social platforms, or encouraging work placements, these steps will help attract the next generation."

Lucy also sees potential in replicating the success of women-in-STEM initiatives within agriculture. "New organisations and initiatives are emerging with a focus on women in horticulture and fresh produce," she says. "IWD, along with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, are great opportunities to celebrate the women in our industry. Last year, several new female colleagues joined Angus Soft Fruits, which led us to start a women's-only social initiative to encourage networking and support among our female colleagues."

Advice to other women in the industry
"There is more we can do to showcase the diversity of opportunities in agriculture," she continues. "A good place to start is sharing profiles of women in different roles, demonstrating how rewarding the industry is. Additionally, having more women in leadership positions not only brings diversity of thought to businesses but also provides role models for others."

Lucy has some advice for her younger self and for those just starting out. "Be confident! As I have grown more confident, more opportunities have opened up. For example, pushing yourself to network at every meeting starts conversations with new contacts, which can lead to fresh ideas and collaborations."

"Your dedication to innovation, sustainability, and growth is shaping the future of farming and proving that gender does not define capability," she says. "Moving forward, I hope to see us all showcasing the opportunities available to women in this industry to encourage the next generation of berry enthusiasts."

British Berry Growers is the industry body for the British berry industry. Its members supply over 95 percent of the berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) in UK supermarkets. British Berry Growers directs berry research, represents the interests of berry growers to the Government and funds Love Fresh Berries, a year-round consumer campaign that celebrates the taste, health, and value of British berries.

For more information:
Angus Soft Fruits
[email protected]
www.angussoftfruits.co.uk