Marloes Van Schaik is a 40-year-old organic dairy farmer based in the Dutch province of Utrecht. Alongside her daily work managing the family farm, she also serves as a policy advisor for the Dutch Agriculture and Horticulture Organisation, focusing on multifunctional agriculture. This field of study examines how farming can provide environmental and economic benefits in food production.
Her involvement in the GRASS CEILING project began when she came across a book that briefly mentioned the role of women in shaping agricultural processes in an area on an island in the Netherlands. “It was just a few sentences”, she explains, “but it struck a chord”. The author stated that women, whether as farmers themselves or as their spouses, had a significant impact on the success of these processes: “I wanted to understand why and how”. That moment of curiosity became the seed for her project.
Her initiative is centred on increasing the presence of women on agricultural boards, spaces where key decisions are made and where female voices are still underrepresented. What sets her project apart is its practical, grassroots methodology. “It’s very hands-on”, she says. “I’ve interviewed many people — both women and men, some of whom are already on boards, and others who aren’t — to understand the motivations, barriers and perceptions around these positions”.
From these conversations, she has compiled a set of clear, actionable recommendations that she now offers to cooperatives and agricultural associations. “Saying that you want more women on boards is not enough. You have to change internal policies, structures, and culture to create an environment where women feel welcome, safe, and confident that their contributions will be valued”.
Although the topic can be sensitive, she found people were open and willing to share their experiences. “At first, I was worried people might be reluctant to speak. But actually, they were enthusiastic. They recognised the issue and wanted to help. The biggest obstacle wasn’t resistance, it was time”.
Like many rural women, Marloes juggles multiple roles: the farm, her external job, her children, household duties, and social life. “Time is always a challenge”, she says. “But I get so much energy from the project that I try to make time for it, even if it’s not easy”.
The GRASS CEILING project has played a crucial role in keeping her on track. “This project gives me individual support through mentoring, but also collective support. We share challenges, exchange experiences, and use each other’s talents. It helps to know I’m not doing this alone. And when there’s a meeting coming up, it motivates me to make progress”.