In 2004 there were approximately 62,000 women employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing in the UK, but by the end of 2024 this number had increased to 76,000.

Robyn said this was encouraging, and good to see given that historically the farming industry has been thought of as a male-dominated sector.

Her family have been farming on the Isle of Wight since the 1980s with a focus on sheep, and she also farms in Worcestershire.

Thankful to amazing women

She said: “I’m so thankful to all the amazing women in my life who have encouraged, reassured and championed me so that I might take on opportunities that now allow me to represent the farming industry.

“This is an industry that I am passionate about – it is innovative and constantly evolving to meet the range of demands asked of it.

“Women have always taken an active part in farming, but I’m pleased to see that being recognised with more women leading the conversations across all sectors, and it’s great to be in a position to support those women around me to bring their best selves at time when we need it most.”

Celebrating achievements

IWD (International Women's Day) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Marked annually on March 8, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women's achievements, educate and awareness raise about women's equality, call for positive change advancing women and lobby for accelerated gender equality.