Spain

María José Velilla: “I enjoy working in my village and setting my hours, even if sometimes it means working all day.”

General, Human Stories, Spain /

We visited Alfamén, a small town near Zaragoza, Spain. María José has been working here for over 25 years. She owns a livestock farm with her husband, where they raise lambs of a native Aragonese breed known as Ternasco de Aragón, certified under the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label.

Products with the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label are, by definition, distinguished by a specific quality, reputation, or characteristic attributable to their geographical origin. Their production, processing, or preparation must occur in the defined geographical area that gives them their name, as detailed on the Spanish government website www.administracion.gob.es.

María José tells us she loves her work because it allows her to choose her hours and be her own boss—though not always.
“During lambing season, I don’t get to choose; I’m here all day.” The workload during breeding season is intense because, under the quality standards of the Ternasco de Aragón certification, lambs are slaughtered before they are fifty days old. This makes that time of year especially demanding.

“When I started, I knew nothing, but my family helped me a lot.” María José’s beginnings, like many in Spain’s primary sector, are rooted in family tradition. Her father-in-law already owned a farm, and later she and her husband started their own with the support of their extended family. She says the work is very tough; the farm doesn’t stop for holidays, long weekends, or vacations. Even on Christmas Day, the animals must be fed and taken to pasture. María José shares that they haven’t been able to vacation their entire lives.

This hard work has its rewards, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything. “I like working outdoors, and I like working in my village. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything here.” In Alfamén, just a few kilometers from Zaragoza, she finds everything she needs. However, María José tells us that not all rural areas are so fortunate. “Many women farmers and ranchers miss having more services, which is why there are fewer of us.” In a society that still upholds some patriarchal traditions, many rural women find it difficult to balance roles like raising children and managing household duties with the dedication their work and projects require. “If you don’t have daycare centers or health centers nearby, you can’t focus on your business as much as you’d like.”

For this rural entrepreneur, linking her livestock farm with a social economy organization, such as a cooperative, has been a huge help. Through her cooperative, OviAragón – Pastores, she has found the necessary support to channel her product sales, obtain the best feed for her animals, and manage administrative processes of all kinds. The cooperative also assists with veterinary control of the animals. “The cooperative has been a key pillar that allows me to do this work. It’s an essential support system that lets me focus on raising animals, knowing that I have the structure of OviAragón – Pastores by my side,” María José tells us.

María José also combines her work with intense advocacy for rural women and the primary sector. She serves on the board of AMCAE, la Asociación de Mujeres de Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España, which is a partner in the Grass Ceiling project. The association holds annual meetings where women farmers and ranchers from across the country come together to share ideas and learn from one another. “It’s important for us women to participate and take action. We’ve always been here (in the primary sector), but often in the shadow of men. That’s why it’s essential to make our presence known.”

María José Velilla: “I enjoy working in my village and setting my hours, even if sometimes it means working all day.” Read More »

Rural women take center stage at GRASS CEILING showcase in Vilnius

Croatia, General, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden /

The GRASS CEILING Project consortium is excited to announce its participation in AgriFood Lithuania 2024. The event will serve as the backdrop for the project’s second Showcase event, highlighting the remarkable achievements of its first year.



Showcase and Consortium Meeting. The annual Showcase event will take place on 26th November, followed by the 3rd Consortium meeting on 27th November. The Showcase will offer a platform to inform partners and external stakeholders about the project’s progress, including key deliverables and the pivotal role of Living Labs. Here you will find the agenda for this event.

Spotlight on Women Entrepreneurs. A particular highlight of the event will be the inspiring stories of nine women entrepreneurs participating in national Living Labs. These women will share their entrepreneurial journeys, goals, and how their involvement in the Living Lab is supporting their aspirations. Participants include Ines Dundovic (Croatia), Karen Keane (Ireland), Annalisa Pellegrini (Italia), Juste Jankauskiene (Lithuania), Anita Rennemo Galaen (Scotland), Aoife Gould (Scotland), Amada de Salas (Spain), Emma Hartelius (Sweden), and Irene Beukeveld-Evers (Netherlands).

Project Results and Future Directions GRASS CEILING will also present findings from various work packages. Topics include:

The consortium meeting on 27th November will delve deeper into the project’s work plan, with a special focus on the Online Training Academy and MOOC modules workshop, led by Laura Quijano from CIHEAM Zaragoza.

Rural women take center stage at GRASS CEILING showcase in Vilnius Read More »

Spanish women farmers left out: work-life balance and transparency issues hinder their leadership roles in agrarian cooperatives

General, Spain /

Spanish GRASS CEILING Living Lab organized a new workshop as a dialogue forum among women farmers and other agri-food actors. This event highlighted the lack of access of women to management positions in cooperatives, as well as their position on the CAP’s policies.

The University of Valladolid’s Palencia Campus, as academic co-leader, and Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España, as practical co-leader of the European GRASS CEILING Project, have jointly organized the workshop “Dialogues with Women Farmers: Cooperatives and the Common Agricultural Policy”, at the headquarters of the Agropal Agri-Food Cooperative in Palencia (Spain).

This event served as a forum for reflection and dialogue, bringing together women farmers participating in the project with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The main objective was to delve into the challenges facing rural areas and the agricultural sector, emphasizing the role of women as drivers of rural development and generational renewal within the cooperative movement and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The workshop aimed to strengthen knowledge and promote best practices with a gender perspective. The event focused on the women participating in the Spanish Living Lab as the primary protagonists of the Grass Ceiling Project.

The event was opened by Margarita Rico, professor at the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering (University of Valladolid’s Palencia Campus) and Spanish project coordinator, Julia Gómez, deputy director of AGROPAL, and Ángel María Gómez Rivero, director general of the Common Agricultural Policy of the Regional Government in Castilla y León.

The first panel discussion focused on participation and decision-making within agri-food cooperatives. Moderated by Ana de Coca of URCACYL, the panel included Jerónima Bonafé, member of the governing council of Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España and president of AMCAE (Association of Women in Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain), Javier Narváez, secretary of the governing council of URCACYL, Amada de Salas, winegrower and winemaker in Dueñas (Palencia), and Lucía Velasco, transhumant cattle farmer in Asturias. The debate centered on the underrepresentation of women in cooperative governing boards and the underlying causes, such as limited time availability due to work-life balance challenges and lack of transparency.

The second panel discussion, moderated by Tomás García Azcárate, a researcher at the CSIC, examined the role of women in the new Common Agricultural Policy. Participants included Nuria Ruiz, manager of ASAJA Castilla y León, Ángel María Gómez Rivero, Marta Llorente, pig farmer and winegrower in Zazuar (Burgos), and Silvia González, farmer from Villaconancio (Palencia). The panel discussed critical aspects of the new CAP and broader challenges facing the sector, including increased bureaucracy, an aging rural population, and a lack of generational renewal.

Amalia Rodríguez, professor at the Faculty of Commerce and Labor Relations-Palencia (University of Valladolid), and Jerónima Bonafé delivered the closing remarks. They emphasized the need for greater visibility of women farmers and their proportional representation in decision-making bodies. The importance of gathering the experiences of rural women and creating spaces for dialogue was also highlighted.

The meeting served to strengthen the network established through the project and to deepen discussions on key issues facing the agricultural sector.

Spanish women farmers left out: work-life balance and transparency issues hinder their leadership roles in agrarian cooperatives Read More »

Spanish women entrepreneurs from the GRASS CEILING Living Lab participate in a workshop on digitisation and women leadership in agrifood cooperatives

General, Spain /

Women entrepreneurs participating in the Spanish Living Lab of the GRASS CEILING project have participated in a workshop on digitisation and leadership of women in agrifood cooperatives, organised by the Spanish Association of Women’s Agrifood Cooperatives (AMCAE).

This activity is part of the training journey of the Spanish Living Lab, developed as part of the fifth meeting of its members.

The meeting was characterised by the active participation of the attendees, who spoke of motivation, learning, acquisition of new tools, evolution, training and inspiration, when describing the event. The speakers at the meeting underlined the significant participation of women in the agricultural cooperative sector.

Ana Gargallo, representative of the University of Zaragoza, highlighted the importance of managing talent and in particular of exploring the talent of women. She referred to social and economic sustainability as key factors to achieving more competitive cooperatives with greater benefits.

Antonio Aparicio, from the Pastors Cooperative Group, gave a presentation on the link between equal opportunities and the SDGs and presented the ‘Extraordinary Women’ initiative within the livestock farming community of Pastores Group, where many women leaders have been discovered by the cooperative’s own team of veteran women members.

Finally, Paula de Íscar de Rojas, researcher at the University of Valladolid, reviewed the main regulatory provisions on equality and highlighted the importance of digitisation and training to advance social sustainability in cooperatives.

A stimulating discussion followed the round of interventions, led by María José Velilla, advisor of Oviaragón, member of the AMCAE Board of Directors and the GRASS CEILING Living Lab in Spain.

This workshop has taken place with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to carry out activities of special interest that promote the role of women in rural development.

Spanish women entrepreneurs from the GRASS CEILING Living Lab participate in a workshop on digitisation and women leadership in agrifood cooperatives Read More »

Grass Ceiling project webinar focuses on enhancing social media management for rural businesses

Croatia, General, Ireland, Spain /

The GRASS CEILING project hosted a webinar on improving social media management, bringing together project partners and innovative women from the project’s Living Labs. The webinar, led by CIHEAM Zaragoza, underlined the importance of starting with a solid strategic communication plan.

Throughout the session, three women entrepreneurs from the GRASS CEILING project’s Living Labs, with extensive experience in social media management, shared their experiences in managing their social media presence. These were Lucía Velasco, a rural influencer and a cowgirl from the Principality of Asturias (Spain) – as she likes to define herself, passionate about promoting rural life and traditions; Karen and Natalie Keane, two chocolatier sisters and promoters of the Bean and Goose brand in Ireland, known for their innovative and delicious creations; and Jasminka Gršković, a teacher and entrepreneur, inventor of lavender-scented wool sensory balls for hand muscles.

The importance of a strategic communication plan

“Effective social media management depends on a well-developed communication plan,” explained Laura Gil, a journalist from the CIHEAM Zaragoza Communication Unit and responsible for speaking on Social Media Content Strategy. “This plan should carefully consider the target audience, desired outcomes, communication channels, and messaging strategies. Identifying the right platform to reach your audience is crucial, and it can be a complex task.”

Laura Gil stressed the importance of consistently publishing content with a pre-established calendar because it helps to build audience loyalty and avoid losing momentum. She also spoke about continuously monitoring trends in each sector to stay up to date and adapt your own approach if necessary, aligning it with goals and interests of the target audience. Finally, knowing how to use the right tools is essential, taking advantage of social media management platforms to optimise tasks, scheduling and monitoring processes.

Lucía Velasco: authenticity and empathy for greater impact

Lucía Velasco offered a captivating presentation that served as a powerful reminder of several key principles. She emphasised the importance of authenticity, “being true to what you do and who you are”. Her message defended the value of positive communication, advocating for the use of motivating and inspiring language. Lucía also underlined the importance of empathy, urging the women to connect deeply with the work they do to achieve a more impactful outcome.

In addition, she highlighted the need to establish a clear communication process, “because it ensures that information is disseminated efficiently and accurately” and to always be very well informed “to avoid disinformation and be more credible.” Finally, Lucía emphasised the opportunity to be a spokeswoman for women in rural areas. “Our networks are a platform to amplify our voices and defend our causes.”

Bean and Goose, or the power of pursuing dreams from home

Sisters Karen and Natalie Keane, the creative minds behind Bean and Goose, exemplify the power of pursuing dreams from the heart of the home. Their passion for creating something meaningful and offering delicious chocolate experiences is evident in everything they do.

Driven by a clear vision of building a strong brand, the Keane sisters ingeniously use chocolate as a medium to celebrate Ireland’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

Social media is a vital platform for them. They use it to connect with customers and followers, highlighting the unique value proposition of their products. Their approach goes beyond simply selling chocolate. They strive to provide useful information and cultivate a sense of connection with their audience, ultimately generating trust and loyalty to the Bean and Goose brand.

Jasminka Gršković: constant learning

For Jasminka, the importance of mentors cannot be overstated when it comes to shaping the business model. She pointed out that their guidance can help us navigate challenges and pave the way to success. “Learning how to create a business plan that leverages the power of social media is essential”. Jasminka also highlighted the value of both professional training and observation. “By establishing a strong online presence and becoming a reliable source of information, we can position ourselves as thought leaders for our target audience, including potential customers seeking solutions.”

While she acknowledges that video content may not be her personal preference, Jasminka recognises the importance of exploring different communication channels. This openness to learning and embracing new approaches is a valuable lesson for any entrepreneur.

Jasminka’s perspective highlights the valuable insights we can gain from unexpected sources. Young people, often considered digital natives, can offer valuable guidance and expertise in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of social media. “I, in fact, learn every day from my daughter”.

Grass Ceiling project webinar focuses on enhancing social media management for rural businesses Read More »

Laura, a Spanish poultry farmer, happily surrounded by hundreds of happy hens

General, Spain /

Laura has found happiness among hundreds of hens, who are also happy thanks to her. This is not the beginning of a children’s story. It is the real story of Laura Polo, a Spanish woman who decided to swap the hustle and bustle of the big city, Bilbao, for the noisy clucking of lots and lots of hens.

She is one of the participants in the GRASS CEILING Spanish Living Lab, an initially self-taught entrepreneur who later trained in agriculture and livestock farming to be able to set up her happy hen farm. However, she claims that there is still not enough training in poultry farming for those who, like her, want to earn a living by raising hens.

Her company is called Avicultura Granja Pepín and it is located in a small village in the province of Palencia, called Alba de Cerrato. “Hens are my passion,” she told the Spanish public television programme “La Aventura del Saber” (La 2 TVE), “and they must be given the care they deserve.”

Her hens eat noble cereals such as wheat, barley, corn, and sunflower seeds, when there is no soya. They do not consume animal or vegetable fats, nor do they consume colourants or palm oil. And as a supplement, they eat vegetable waste from the family garden that Laura tends with her husband. “The eggs that our hens produce have the quality seal that comes from the way we care for them: good food, respect and a large natural space where they can move around. The hens know us and that shows in the flavour of the eggs,” says Laura.

Laura has learned to live without a clock, although she works from dawn to dusk. “We use sunlight as a natural clock.”

In 2017 she opened her first shed with 500 hens. Four months later she set up the second shed with 740 hens. In 2018 the third shed arrived to house another 450 hens. In 2019 she reached maximum capacity: a fourth shed where she halted expansion. “We don’t want to lose the essence of the care and craftsmanship of our final product. With this number of hens we can earn a good living, manage the farm and care for our animals.

She says that GRASS CEILING is providing a great opportunity for the voices of rural women to be heard in European institutions. She has met other women in the sector with similar problems, and sharing their experiences helps them to find joint solutions. “We must continue to enhance the visibility of rural women. We are gradually making progress, but there is still much to be done”. However, the main drawbacks they have are the low population density in rural areas and the limited services available. “It is essential that small towns have access to basic services that allow us the quality of life we deserve. This would attract new residents and entrepreneurs”, Laura says.

“I hope, at least, that we can continue to make a living and our brand can become well-known… I am happy here … no one can change that”.

Laura, a Spanish poultry farmer, happily surrounded by hundreds of happy hens Read More »

New meeting for GRASS CEILING Living Lab Spain to discuss various support actions for women in agriculture

General, Spain /

A group of women participating in the Spanish Living Lab of the Grass Ceiling project met on March 8th with representatives from various national, regional, and local public institutions, and members of agricultural organisations. The meeting aimed to make a critical examination of the key action measures being implemented to assist women farmers and to support and promote equality policies. Eight women participated in the meeting, along with a group of external stakeholders and regular collaborators of the project’s working groups.

The meeting fostered debate on the measures being taken by the responsible entities to enhance the situation of rural women. It also emphasized the importance of maintaining active networks for sharing different perspectives, opinions, knowledge, and experiences, given the need for comprehensive analyses. The meeting has enabled participants to generate synergies and promote joint actions that will benefit rural women, especially those working in the primary sector.

The event was attended by representatives of public institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Government of Spain), Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Government of Aragon), Department of Rural Environment and Agrarian Policy (Government of the Principality of Asturias), Territorial Service of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development in the Province of Palencia (Government of Castile and León) and private entities such as Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture Association and Agrifood Cooperatives of Spain.

New meeting for GRASS CEILING Living Lab Spain to discuss various support actions for women in agriculture Read More »

GRASS CEILING features on Spanish TV programme “La Aventura del Saber”

General, Spain /

In an in-depth interview, the coordinators explain the objectives and methodology of this European project that supports rural women in their innovative proposals.

The TV show included the report “Demolishing the Glass Ceiling in the Rural World” that follows eight Spanish women farmers throughout their participation in the project.

The Spanish TV programme “La Aventura del Saber”, wanted to showcase the often-invisible work of women in the rural world, and devoted a large part of yesterday’s episode to the European project GRASS CEILING.

The European Union launched the GRASS CEILING project in March 2023 to address the need to empower rural women and support the sustainable innovation initiatives they are leading in agriculture and livestock farming. Including Spain, nine EU countries are taking part in the project, which involves the creation of Living Labs engaging innovative rural women. Sixty women are participating in these Labs, eight of whom are from Spain.

“La Aventura del Saber” (the Adventure of Knowledge), is one of the longest-running programmes of Spain’s state-owned television station. The producers were keen to feature the GRASS CEILING project and interviewed two of the coordinators in the studio: Margarita Rico González, lecturer at the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineers of the University of Valladolid (Palencia Campus) and Carmen Martínez Ramiro, head of the Equality Department of Agrifood Cooperatives in Spain. During the interview both spoke about gender barriers and the main challenges that women face every day on their farms. They highlighted the importance of education, training and knowledge-sharing in order to progress towards sustainable, balanced and competitive rural development.

After the interview, the programme transmitted the report “Demolishing the Glass Ceiling in the Rural World” thatlooks intothe project’s objectives and progress in Spain and follows the work of eight women farmers in the autonomous communities of Asturias, Aragon, and Castile and León.

The daily programme “La Aventura del Saber” has been running for over thirty years, exploring the world of education, environment, science and technology. Focusing on training and outreach, the programme aims to be entertaining and educational through in-depth interviews and investigative reports.

GRASS CEILING features on Spanish TV programme “La Aventura del Saber” Read More »

EU CAP Network workshop ‘Women-led innovations in agriculture and rural areas’

Croatia, General, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden /

The EU CAP Network workshop ‘Women-led innovations in agriculture and rural areas’ will take place in Krakow, Poland from Wednesday 17 April to Thursday 18 April 2024.

Women play a vital role in civil society and economic growth in rural areas. They are at the helm of viable farm businesses, and vibrant rural areas and communities. Women are key actors in the rural economy as farmers and other entrepreneurs engaged in off-farm work in multiple sectors. Additionally, women often assume responsibility for the care and welfare of their family members. Yet, despite their crucial contribution, many women suffer from a rather ‘invisible role’, facing numerous challenges such as discrimination and difficulties in accessing the labour market. This situation is exacerbated by the prevalence of rural women participating in informal and vulnerable employment. Often, such employment is inadequately compensated and lacks connections to social protection or pension schemes, which could potentially leave women vulnerable to increased levels of poverty (OECD, 2019).

Women make up 51% of the EU population and, in 2021, 67.3% of all working age women (20-64 years) were employed in rural areas, yet the gender pay gap still stands at 12.7% (Eurostat, 2022). What’s more, in almost all Member States, the gender gap in employment rates is higher in rural areas than urban ones.

In particular, farming is viewed as a male-dominated profession, with women making up 31.6% of EU farmers (Eurostat, 2022). Additionally, women in farming face issues around access to land, training and education, and equal treatment from financial and farming organisations. To counteract this, gender mainstreaming has become an important principle in the CAP. The CAP Strategic Plans (2023-2027) promote the increased participation of women in farming and require a gender equality approach in addition to the assessment of the position of women in agriculture, forestry and rural areas, and the challenges they face.

Various projects, supported by different EU programmes show how barriers to the empowerment of women in rural areas can be mitigated or overcome, with socio-economic benefits through social and other types of innovations. Moreover, women represent a significant driving force for prosperity and social inclusion in rural areas, notably through innovative actions and entrepreneurship. This has been recognised by the European Commission in A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, which is committed to empowering women by supporting gender equality and entrepreneurship in Europe, including rural areas.

Taking into account the above, the EU CAP Network support unit for Innovation and Knowledge exchange | EIP-AGRI is organising a workshop on women-led innovations to demonstrate that farming and rural areas can be attractive places for women, especially for developing their business ideas and applying their innovative approaches.

Objectives

The overall aim of the workshop is to empower women in farming and rural areas by exchanging knowledge, identifying successful initiatives and projects led by female innovators, and networking.

Specific objectives:

  • Explore opportunities offered under different EU programmes to support women in agriculture and rural areas.
  • Showcase innovative initiatives, businesses and start-ups led by women entrepreneurs in rural areas with a particular focus on innovative farming practices and farm diversification strategies.
  • Identify the needs of and barriers to women entrepreneurs to develop their businesses in rural areas.
  • Promote women-friendly entrepreneurship ecosystems within local rural communities.
  • Activate networking among workshop participants in order to support women-driven innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas.

The main target groups:

This workshop will focus on good practices of women-led initiatives from EU rural areas, at different stages of development. This includes, but is not limited to, farming, forestry, and environmental productions and services. Other participants that we are looking for include advisors, researchers, representatives from farmers associations, chambers of agriculture, industry, managing bodies, local authorities, press, etc. from across Europe.

More information and submission of applications

EU CAP Network workshop ‘Women-led innovations in agriculture and rural areas’ Read More »

GRASS CEILING Living Lab Spain celebrates a new meeting in Palencia

General, Spain /

The Grass Ceiling Project, academically coordinated by the Palencia Campus of the University of Valladolid (UVa), continues its journey, celebrating an interesting meeting where the main challenges faced by women working in agriculture were discussed. The University Campus of Palencia has once again hosted the third meeting of the Grass Ceiling Project. The objective of the working session was to identify the main challenges, barriers, and limitations that women face daily in their agricultural and livestock operations, from personal, sectoral, regulatory, and rural environment perspectives.

To achieve this, the eight women participating permanently in the project and a diverse group of external agents from the associative and cooperative sector, the public sector, local action groups, and several male farmers, have participated in various work dynamics. The research team from the Palencia Campus, led by Professor Margarita Rico, along with several members of the Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain, organized and moderated the event.

The main problems detected are mainly related to the excessive and convoluted bureaucracy that professionals in the field must comply with, often redundant and unnecessary, which takes away time that could be devoted to their own farmers. Other limitations are related to the poor living conditions in smaller municipalities, especially regarding the scarcity of health, education, care, cultural, and leisure services. The scarcity of public transportation and inefficient internet and mobile phone connectivity were also cited as significant barriers. Finally, sector-specific issues inherent to agriculture also pose important obstacles, such as high production costs, limited influence over prices, sector undervaluation, and low representation of women in leadership positions in various representative organizations.

Ultimately, the last discussion focused on proposing an exploratory plan for possible generic action strategies to overcome the identified barriers in the preceding work dynamics. The project concludes its first year of work, with very positive results in terms of conclusions drawn and the participation and commitment of the eight women involved in the experiential laboratory, as well as other collaborating agents. The creation of the working and support network generated around the project itself, constitutes an innovation in supporting women actively working in agrarian activities.

GRASS CEILING Living Lab Spain celebrates a new meeting in Palencia Read More »