Lucía Velasco Rodríguez didn’t plan to become the head of a livestock farm — life simply led her in that direction. Raised among animals and open fields in the Asturian countryside, she had always been deeply connected to rural life. But it wasn’t until a turning point — the birth of her daughter — that she decided to take over the family farm herself. “When I gave birth to my daughter, my husband thought of selling the few cows we had. But I didn’t want to lose that way of life. I told him I’d take over. I had just become a mother, but I felt I could manage both things”, she recalls. It was the start of a new chapter — one in which she would lead the farm herself, defying both expectations and tradition.
Taking on this role wasn’t always easy. “At first, the cattle buyers wouldn’t even talk to me. They asked to speak to my husband. I had to fight for my place, to be taken seriously”, she explains. Little by little, she gained their trust — and, more importantly, her own confidence.
Today, Lucía runs a traditional cattle farm that continues the practice of moving livestock to mountain pastures in summer. The animals graze freely and are tended to daily with care and patience. She uses social media to share the realities of rural life and challenge stereotypes about farming. “What people see as ‘rural’ is actually complex. Behind each animal, there are families, culture, landscapes, and stories that deserve to be told”, she says.
In 2019, she became a founding member of Ganaderas Asturianas, a group of women farmers from the region. “We started with a lot of energy. We travelled, shared ideas, and pushed each other forward”, she explains. While the group is less active today, its spirit of solidarity remains a vital part of her work.
Lucía is also committed to the GRASS CEILING project, which led her all the way to Brussels — and to another personal milestone. “I had to pitch my project in English. So… I had to learn English too! To be honest, the GC Project has taught me many things; I am so grateful to participate in it”.
For her, being a farmer is not a burden — it’s a form of peace. “Some people don’t like going to work, for me it is just the opposite, I am looking forward to doing it. When I’m with my animals, I disconnect from everything. It’s the only time I feel truly calm. I’m part of something bigger, and that’s a feeling I wouldn’t trade for anything.”