Groundbreaking Research from Adelaide University Sheds Light on Evolving Roles

Adelaide University has released a timely study examining how women in Australian agriculture are navigating and reshaping traditional notions of farmer identity. Led by Dr Emily Buddle from the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the research draws on focus groups with 27 women across South Australian farming enterprises. It reveals a nuanced spectrum of self-perception that challenges longstanding stereotypes in the sector.

The findings underscore the increasing complexity of modern farming businesses and highlight the need for broader recognition of women's diverse contributions beyond conventional paddock work.

Context of Women in Australian Agriculture

Australian agriculture has long been viewed through a predominantly masculine lens, with imagery of tractors, Akubras and hands-on land work dominating public perceptions. Yet women make up approximately 31 to 32 percent of the agricultural workforce, contributing substantially to the viability and profitability of family farms and larger enterprises alike.

Over recent decades, farms have grown in scale, become more reliant on global markets and faced heightened regulatory demands. This evolution has elevated the importance of business management, compliance, finance and human resources—areas where many women are applying professional skills honed outside traditional farming pathways.

Methodology and Key Participants

The study employed qualitative focus groups to capture rich, personal insights from women actively involved in South Australian farming businesses. Participants represented a range of enterprise sizes and types, allowing researchers to identify patterns across different contexts.

By centring the voices of these women, the research moves beyond quantitative workforce statistics to explore lived experiences of identity, recognition and contribution within contemporary agricultural settings.

A Spectrum of Farmer Identities

One of the study's most compelling contributions is its identification of a spectrum of identities. Some women strongly embraced the 'big-F Farmer' label, seeing day-to-day paddock work and hands-on farming as central to their sense of self.

Others positioned themselves as 'little-f farmers', acknowledging involvement without placing farming at the core of their identity. A further group rejected the farmer label entirely, preferring recognition for specialised business, administrative or operational expertise that keeps complex enterprises running smoothly.

This diversity reflects broader shifts in how farming businesses operate and how individuals within them define success and belonging.

The 'Control Room' of Modern Farms

Many participants described their roles as managing the farm's 'control room'—overseeing administration, risk management, compliance, employment and strategic decision-making. These responsibilities have grown significantly as farms scale up and regulatory environments intensify.

Women in the study often brought skills from previous careers in finance, law, education or corporate sectors, applying them to multimillion-dollar operations. This professionalisation of farm management represents a quiet but powerful transformation in Australian agriculture.

Rejecting Outdated Labels

Participants overwhelmingly rejected the term 'farmer's wife', viewing it as reductive and dismissive of their individual contributions. The persistence of such language highlights ongoing social expectations in regional Australia that can overshadow women's professional identities.

The research emphasises that recognition should reflect personal expertise and agency rather than relational status to a male farmer.

Implications for Policy and Practice

The findings carry significant implications for agricultural policy, education and industry initiatives. A one-size-fits-all approach to recognising women in farming risks overlooking the varied ways they contribute and experience their roles.

By broadening definitions of contribution, stakeholders can foster a more inclusive sector that values diverse skills and supports retention of talent in rural communities.

Connections to Broader Higher Education Research

This Adelaide University project exemplifies the vital role Australian universities play in generating evidence-based insights into social and economic issues affecting key industries. Research of this nature informs curriculum development in agricultural sciences, rural sociology and gender studies programmes nationwide.

It also contributes to national conversations about workforce diversity, skills recognition and the future of regional Australia.

Future Outlook and Recommendations

Dr Buddle advocates for continued dialogue between researchers, industry bodies and policymakers to translate these insights into practical change. Greater visibility for the full range of women's work in agriculture could improve recruitment, retention and overall sector resilience.

As farming businesses continue to evolve, embracing identity diversity will be essential for building an equitable and dynamic agricultural workforce.

Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

Accessing the Full Study

The complete paper, titled 'Little-f farmer, big-F Farmer, or not at all? Questions of identity amongst Australian farming women', appears in the Journal of Rural Studies. It offers detailed analysis and direct quotes from participants that enrich understanding of these evolving identities.