IWD spotlight on Lucy Wilkins

What initially drew you to the berry industry, and how did your journey in this 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...have you experienced/can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman working in this field, and how you've 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 amount 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 this [male dominated industry] is changing?

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, tasty fruit to consumers. It's an incredibly rewarding industry to work in.

How do you see the role of women evolving in agriculture/horticulture and the berry industry, 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 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.

With this year’s IWD theme being ‘accelerate action’, what steps do you think are necessary to encourage more young women to pursue careers in horticulture and the berry industry?

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 shouting about our work in media and social media or encouraging work placements to try out a career in horticulture and the berry industry.

Should there be a push within agriculture as there has in fields like science/research with women in STEM initiatives? And if so why?

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 lead us to start a women’s 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 to 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.