As a participant in the European GRASS CEILING project, dairy farmer Marloes van Schaik has developed a flyer to support organisations in promoting greater diversity in agricultural boards.
What exactly did you develop (and for whom)?
The flyer contains 15 practical tips for agricultural cooperatives, associations, and foundations. What are the benefits of having (more) female board members, how do you recruit (more) female board members, and what motivates these women? It is also important for the women themselves to understand these issues. They are committed to issues that matter to their families, their businesses, and the next generation.
How did you approach this?
Over the past three years, I have conducted interviews with women and men from the agricultural sector. Farmers and farm women with or without an administrative role, agricultural coaches, researchers, employees of industry organizations, and provinces. From these interviews, I was able to form a picture of the needs of women that must be met before they consider a role on a board. I ultimately converted these needs into tips. You can use these tips in a practical way.
What was the reason for this?
In his book ‘De Melkveerevolutie’ (The Dairy Revolution), Jan Willem Erisman describes how involving farmers’ wives in the (regional) process has led to greater openness and different ways of interacting. Greater diversity in agricultural boards ensures better representation of your membership, more perspectives, and therefore better decisions. In addition, I myself have experienced a lack of diversity in board positions. Women sometimes doubt whether they are suitable, even though there are many talented potential female directors!
What do you hope to achieve?
That more women become enthusiastic about board positions at the local, regional, or national level, because organizations are better at finding and involving them.
Where can I find more information?
Flyer ‘3x 5 Tips for More Women in Agricultural Boards’ – available in Dutch and English.
European study ‘GRASS CEILING’ – Netherlands LL – GRASS Ceiling