The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has name the finalists for its Dairy Woman of the Year Award.
The UK milk producer charity received a record number of entries for the HSBC-sponsored award as it celebrates its tenth year.
The shortlist comprises Cumbrian farmer Jenny Lee, first generation farmer Lorna Burdge and new entrant and farm business consultant Anna Bowen.
The award is presented each year at the Women in Dairy Conference, which will take place Thursday, September 19.
It aims to reward an individual who goes above and beyond when it comes to demonstrating the connect, share and inspire values the initiative represents. It celebrates the achievements of women in the dairy industry.
This year’s judging panel comprised of national sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim’s Becca Cavill, conference sponsor HSBC’s Grace O’Dwyer and RABDF trustee and patron of Women in Dairy, Di Wastenage.
Wastenage said: “I was delighted to judge this year’s competition especially with it being the 10th anniversary of celebrating Women in Dairy.
“The calibre of the finalists was impressive and judging provides a genuine opportunity to hear how the industry has changed over the last decade, reinforcing the important role women have in the future of our dairy industry.”
Finalists
RABDF said all three women are inspirtations to the industry and their peers, and all have three “very different stories” on how they embarked on their journeys and got to where they are today.
Jenny Lee
Jenny Lee grew up on her family’s dairy farm and went on to pursue a career in teaching. It was not until her parents stepped back from farming that she felt the pull to return.
Whilst she and her husband Mark tried the original intensive system run by her parents, they soon realised that it was not for them and they began the journey to become a successful pasture-based organic operation.
They are now leading the way when it comes to regenerative practices and are focused on showing how an agro-ecological farm is good for the land, wildlife, cows and its people.
Lee has also worked with RASE, land agents, local politicians and Defra employees to create 100ac of wooded pasture on the farm.
She regularly invites apprentices, groups and school children to the farm, plays host to large-scale events and has two active social media accounts for the farm’s cheese and gelato businesses.
Lorna Burdge
As a first-generation farmer, RABDF said Lorna Burdge has a passion to educate people on where their food comes from whilst showcasing the work that goes into food production.
When she set out on her dairy farming career, Burdge wanted to show how it was possible to run a successful business but still have time for her family – by running an efficient, low-input, block caving unit they are able to do this.
As part of her pledge to educate others Burdge is involved in the NFU Schools Programme and Farmertime which sees her holding farm visits and calls with children.
With the view that women in particular undervalue themselves, Burdge wants to champion the fact that everyone has something to give, and help others recognise this through the many things she does.
Anna Bowen
Anna Bowen, a new entrant and Nuffield scholar, completes the line up of finalists.
She grew up on a dairy farm, but with her brother in partnership with her father, it was never a career option.
After meeting her now husband, who was in a CFA, she started to work on the farm. In time she was able to save enough money to invest in his business of which she now owns a third.
As well as delivering on the CFA Anna works as a consultant at the Andersons Centre, specialising in dairy and nutrient management planning.
She is part of NFU Farmers for Schools and Farmertime, taking a live lesson for 20,000 primary school children as part of this work.
She also became a Nuffiled scholar in 2020 and is now involved as a trustee and as part of the Nuffield Cymru committee.
Using her past and current experiences, Bowen aims to help other women, despite the obstacles they may face, carve their way into the industry, by being visible in situations that often women are not/
Deputy head of agricultural banking at HSBC, Grace O’Dwyer, said: “It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm from all the finalists to support others entering the sector.
“They all highlighted the huge range of skills new entrants can bring and opportunities available and emphasised how growing in confidence and self-belief has been part of their own journey to success.”
