Ana María Olmo, a 35-year-old farmer from Collazos de Boedo in the province of Palencia, has transformed her family’s farm into a thriving agricultural and beekeeping business. After inheriting the farm from her mother, who had to retire due to a serious arm injury, Ana María decided to diversify the family business. She introduced beekeeping to supplement the farm’s traditional agricultural activities, and this move has helped secure her family’s financial future while revitalising the farm.
Bees are vital to both her work and the broader ecosystem, as they pollinate around 70 % of the fruits, vegetables, and forage crops we rely on. Without their tireless activity, many plant species would fail to reproduce, threatening biodiversity and food security. By maintaining healthy apiaries and practising responsible beekeeping, she not only harvests high-quality honey but also ensures that surrounding crops benefit from robust pollination, sustaining yields and preserving the delicate balance of our rural landscape.
But her story doesn’t stop at innovation in bee farming; Ana María is also considering expanding into apitourism, hoping to attract tourists to the rural area. This project would combine her agricultural knowledge with the growing trend of rural tourism, offering visitors the chance to experience life on the farm while learning about beekeeping.
Ana María emphasises that rural women face unique challenges in the agricultural sector. Bureaucratic barriers, outdated gender perceptions, and a lack of recognition are just a few of the obstacles she has faced as a woman trying to succeed in what is still seen by many as a male-dominated field. However, she is optimistic about the changing attitudes toward women in farming, and she is dedicated to proving that women can not only survive but thrive in rural entrepreneurship. She believes that rural businesses, especially those led by women, need visibility and empowerment in order to succeed.
She pointed out that one of the most crucial factors in overcoming these challenges is local support, buying km 0 products, such as hers (those grown, processed, and sold right here in our villages). When neighbours choose locally sourced honey, cereals, vegetables… they help keep money circulating within the area, strengthen small family farms, and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transport. This commitment to “eat where we live” not only supports local livelihoods but also fosters a sense of pride and resilience, ensuring that our traditions and natural resources continue to thrive for generations to come.
Ana María’s experiences also serve as a reminder that while rural women face many challenges, they also have the power to reshape their futures through entrepreneurship, creativity, and a strong sense of community. With more women like Ana María taking charge, the future of rural entrepreneurship looks bright.