‘Women are shaping future of farming’, says ASF breeding programme director

What initially drew you to the berry industry, and how did your journey in the sector begin?

I’ve been in the berry industry for just over four years. Prior to joining Angus Soft Fruits, I was working in cereal breeding. I was attracted to the industry as there was a lot of potential to make a lasting impact to growers and of course it’s a tastier crop than wheat!

Farming is a traditionally male-dominated industry. What challenges have you faced as a woman working in this field, and how have you overcome them?

I think the industry is very welcoming to women, however over my career it is a very common occurrence to be the only woman in the room, which is a sign of the number of women in the industry.

Early in my career, I sometimes felt the need to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. However, I 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.

Do you think the industry is becoming less dominated by men?

Yes! Within our business, for example, we see lots of ambitious, enthusiastic, young women joining who want to develop a career in the berry industry.

What would you say to female school leavers and university students to encourage them into the industry?

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 and tasty fruit to consumers, it’s an incredibly rewarding industry to work in.

How do you see the role of women evolving in horticulture, both now and in the future?

As we see more women joining the industry, we see more diversity of thinking. Women in the future will not be in the minority, which will help grow the industry. Our contributions are not just valuable; they are shaping the future of farming.

What have been some of the most rewarding moments in your career so far?

As a breeder, I find it incredibly rewarding when you visit growers who have your variety, and you see for yourself the positive impact your work has on their livelihoods. It is even more rewarding when the fruit is well received by retailers and consumers, which gives me immense satisfaction.

The theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) this year is ‘accelerating action’. What steps do you think are necessary to encourage more young women to pursue careers in horticulture and the berry industry more specifically?

I think we all have a role to play in speaking about the benefits of working in our industry and raising the profile of the diversity of roles within the sector. Whether that is by shouting about our work in media and social media or by encouraging work placements to try out a career in horticulture and the berry industry.

Should there be a push to get more women into agriculture as there has been in fields such as scientific research through STEM initiatives?

New organisations and initiatives are starting to be established with a focus on women in horticulture and fresh produce. IWD, as well as International Day of Women and Girls in Science, are great opportunities to celebrate the women in our industry.

Last year, we had several new female colleagues join Angus Soft Fruits which led us to start a women-only social initiative to try and encourage our female colleagues to network and support each other.

There is more we can do to replicate the success of women in STEM initiatives for encouraging women to pursue a career in agriculture. A good place to start could be to share profiles of roles women hold within our sector to demonstrate the diversity of opportunities and how rewarding the industry is.

Additionally, having more females in leadership roles not only gives diversity of thinking to businesses, but also develops role models for the rest of your business and beyond.

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self as you started your career in the berry industry?

Be confident! As I have grown more confident, more opportunities have opened up. For example, forcing yourself to network at every meeting starts conversations with new contacts which can lead to new ideas or collaborations.

On International Women’s Day, what message would you like to share with other women working in horticulture or other male-dominated fields, and what changes would you hope to see moving forward?

On International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate and acknowledge the resilience, passion, and expertise of women in horticulture and other male-dominated fields. Your dedication to innovation, sustainability, and growth is shaping the future of agriculture and proving that gender does not define capability.

Moving forward, I hope to see us all showcasing the opportunities as a woman in this industry to encourage the next generation of berry enthusiasts.

Lucy Wilkins has a BSc in Biology and a MSc in Plant Breeding. She has over 10 years of experience in plant breeding and a passion for supporting UK farming, having grown up in a farming family.

She joined Angus Soft Fruits in 2021 as head breeder and was promoted to breeding programme director in 2023. She is responsible for developing new varieties of strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry for all of Angus Soft Fruit’s production regions, covering the whole process from crossing to commercialisation.

As head of department, Wilkins is responsible for all team members and trial sites, including their main breeding location Sandbrook Grounds in Evesham. She is BASIS-qualified and is trained in sensory analysis.