Latest News

Project updates

March 2026 – One-to-one interviews underway. Call for participants in Wales

We are now busy interviewing women in farming across England and Wales to listen to their experiences in more depth. We have had a great response to our call for expressions of interest to participate in these interviews (thank you!) but are still look for a few volunteers specifically located in Wales. Please do complete this form if you are based in Wales and would like to take part: Expression of interest to participate in an interview (Wales)

January 2026 – Preliminary survey findings now available

The preliminary findings from our survey on the Health and Wellbeing of Women in Farming are now available on our Publications page. Many thanks to the more than 2000 women who took part!

September 2025 – Survey closed

Our online survey has now closed. Many thanks to the 2000+ women who took part! We are now busy processing and analysing all the results and will publish the results soon.

Media coverage

The following is a selection of media coverage raised in association with the Health and Wellbeing of Women in Farming research project.

Written

March 2026

• BBC Cymru Fyw: Dathlu cyfraniad ‘unig’ ac ‘anweladwy’ merched ym myd amaeth – BBC Cymru Fyw

January 2026

• FCN press release:
• BBC News: University of Exeter study raises concerns over wellbeing of women farmers – BBC News
• BBC News: Women in farming are almost invisible, says Cornwall farmer – BBC News
• Farmers Guardian: Women in farming report lower mental well-being than national average in every age group, study shows | Farm News | Farmers Guardian
• Farmers Guardian: Involvement in decision-making on farm associated with higher mental wellbeing for women, new research finds | Farm News | Farmers Guardian
• Farmers Weekly: Survey links women farmers’ decision-making power to wellbeing – Farmers Weekly
• 360 View: Menywod mewn amaeth sy’n cael eu gwerthfawrogi a’u cynnwys yn teimlo’n llai unig – Golwg360

May 2025

• FCN press release: Wellbeing survey seeking views of women in farming launches during mental health awareness week
• BBC news: Survey looks at women’s mental health in farming
• Fresh Produce Journal: Women in industry urged to fill in mental health survey

January – February 2025

• FCN press release: Farming women’s health and wellbeing focus of new research
• Farmers Guardian: New study set to address imbalance in health and well-being provision for women in agriculture
• Farmers Guide:  Women working in farming industry take part in health and well-being research
• Farming online: Farming women’s health and wellbeing focus of new research
• South West Farmer: University of Exeter and FCN study looks into women’s health

Radio

January/February 2026 – preliminary survey findings

• BBC Woman’s Hour (25/02/26) (see 29:55 in): BBC Woman’s Hour – 25/02/2026 – BBC Sounds
• BBC Radio Cymru (26/01/26)
• BBC Radio Cornwall (20/01/26) (see 01:08:00 and 02:09:00) James Churchfield – 20/01/2026 – BBC Sounds
• BBC Radio Devon (04/02/26) (see 01:14:50 in) Caroline Densley – 04/02/2026 – BBC Sounds

May 2025

• BBC Woman’s Hour: Women in farming: A Woman’s Hour special
• Interview on BBC Radio Cymru, discussing launch of survey (16/05/25)
• Interview on BBC Radio Cornwall, discussing launch of survey (28/05/25) (see 1:35:00 in): BBC Sounds

January 2025

• Interview with Caroline Dempsey on BBC Radio Devon, discussing launch of study (30/01/25)
• Interview with Mel Osborne on BBC Radio Devon’s Country Matters, discussing launch of study (26/01/25)
• Interview with Andrew Kay on Greatest Hits South West, discussing launch of study (24/01/25)

TV

• BBC Spotlight: Preliminary survey findings (20/01/26)
• BBC Spotlight: Feature on women in farming, including launch of survey (15/05/25)
• ITV News, Wales: Feature on women in farming, including research and launch of survey (15/05/25)

Other

• UK Parliament, Early Day Motion: Mental health of women in farming (tabled 10/02/25)