'All in a day's work' is a celebration of women in farming

The photography exhibition 'All in a day’s work' tells the story of female entrepreneurs through an evocative collection of 27 black-and-white pictures. The images, by documentary photographer, Lucy Saggers, are being shared by the Women in Farming Network at Ryedale Folk Museum, in Hutton-le-Hole, in the North York Moors National Park.

The project is part-funded by the Prince’s Countryside Fund and National Farmers’ Union, with support from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS).

The work was originally unveiled at the Great Yorkshire Show last July. The exhibition will be at Ryedale Folk Museum until June 5, following the museum’s recent spring reopening.

Kate Dale, who farms near Boroughbridge, in North Yorkshire, and co-ordinates the Women in Farming Network, said: “I’ve been delighted by the great interest and positive response to 'All in a day’s work'. Hopefully, it contributes to a much wider understanding of the important role women play as part of farming families, and not just in our great county.”

Jennifer Smith, director of the museum, said: “Located within the North York Moors National Park, the museum attracts a real diversity of visitors and so we have a great opportunity to share the story of female entrepreneurialism in the countryside with a wide audience.”

Among the women who were photographed for the project was farmer Ruth Russell, of Duggleby High Barn, Duggleby, near Malton. Her enterprise consists of arable production, sheep, cattle and wildflower meadows.

Farmer Ruth Russell alongside her photograph captured by Lucy Saggers for the 'All in a day's work' exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum Credit Gerard Binks

The farm also specialises in producing quality beef from a pedigree herd of native Longhorn cattle and it embraces wildlife conservation to provide habitats and food for birds, insects and small mammals.

Ruth said: “It’s a real joy to be part of this powerful portrait of women working in the Yorkshire countryside. Collectively, we have a great story to tell, and I hope it addresses one or two misconceptions people may have.

“For me, it is also a useful platform to show how commercial farming and careful environmental management can work hand-in-hand at a time when all of us within British agriculture are being challenged to get this delicate balance right.”

Others who feature in the exhibition are Christine Ryder, of Blubberhouses; Becky Burniston, of Pateley Bridge; Charlotte and Eleanor Russell, of Thixendale; Becki Leach, of Allerton, near Bradford; Rachel Coates, of Baildon; Jill Smith, of Staxton, near Scarborough; Molly Sadler, of Sherburn, Malton; Mandy Shaw, of Monk Fryston, Selby; Annabel Makin-Jones, of Micklefield, Leeds; and Harriet Hudson, of Flaxton, near York.

Amanda Shaw and daughter, Fran, clipping sheep on their farm in Monk Fryston Credit Lucy Saggers

Lucy Saggers, from Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, was commissioned due to her skill in capturing the essence of individuals in their working environment.

The Women in Farming Network is a group supported by YAS to connect, inspire and support like-minded women across rural Yorkshire. The network has a thriving Facebook community, holds an annual autumn gathering as well as other networking events year-round.

The Women in Farming Network is free to join. For more details, go to www.yas.co.uk/womeninfarming