'When I first started in farming I was often the only woman in the room'

WHEN Shannon Eaglestone moved to Lincolnshire as a teenager she had no previous experience in farming.

And it was only when she got involved in the county's Young Farmers' clubs that her interest in the industry began to grow.

Now she is a fertiliser trading assistant for Louth-based farmers' buying group Woldmarsh.

She explained why she decided to choose a career in a sector that has been traditionally dominated by men.

"Agriculture is a way of life, that's the biggest thing about it," she said.

"For me, as a farmer's wife-to-be, you don't go home and the day is finished.

"Quite often I'll be asked to help with something quickly and it will turn into a couple of hours.

"But the county relies on agriculture and I don't think everyone realises how many people are employed by it in the county.

"Being a female can be a bit hard at times, and when I first started I was often the only woman in the room, but that's changing more and more now.

"It can still be the case but a lot of the time it's not a problem. It's becoming more of a thing that women like to do.

"There are a lot of farms that are run by women now and that wasn't the case 20 years ago."

Miss Eaglestone moved to the county with her family from Northamptonshire at the age of about 14.

After leaving school, she went to Riseholme College and had her heart set on becoming a vet.

However, after doing a National Diploma in animal management for two years she decided it wasn't for her.

By this time she had become involved in Young Farmers through friends she had met at college.

This extended her interest in farming and she started a new course in agriculture, learning essential skills and knowledge needed to work in the industry.

She said the Lincolnshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs had around 500 members, of which about 40 to 45 per cent are women.

She explained why she believes people get involved in agriculture or choose to stay in the industry.

"People that do farming do it because they love it, they don't do it for the money," she said.

"It's for the love of it and the satisfaction of doing a good job.

"It's really nice when you hear people say they have sold cattle and the meat is going to Morrisons, or their potatoes are going to Branston and they're going on to be used for Walkers crisps.

"I think it's that pride of being involved in something that is important for the country."

Lincolnshire Federation Of Young Farmers' Clubs is made up of 15 branches.

It is part of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, which runs activities and offers support for people aged between 10 and 26.

Miss Eaglestone, who has been a member since she was 16, was elected chair at the county AGM in June and will be in her role for a year.

It followed the Lincolnshire clubs' annual rally, which was held this spring and was sponsored by Chandlers.

Woldmarsh sponsored the raffle. Househam Sprayers sponsored the event in 2012.