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.”