Farmers and food producers who have embraced innovation and dared to be different will share the secrets of their successes at the Autumn Gathering of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Women In Farming Network.
All in farming are welcome at the event on Tuesday 14 October 2025 at Lodge Farm, Cundall near York when farmers Helen Stanier and Louise Day, and The Yorkshire Pasta Company’s Kathryn Bumby will offer fascinating insights into their business journeys.
The Women In Farming Autumn Network is an initiative of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network, which is funded by farming charity, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. The Autumn Gathering is kindly sponsored by Barclays, Savills and HECK Food and is a chance for rural women to meet up, be inspired, forge new connections and renew friendships.
Jill Gray, Chair of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network said:
What a fantastic line up of rural women we have in store for our Women In Farming Autumn Gathering at Lodge Farm.
All three of our speakers have in common an incredible entrepreneurial spirit that has driven them to make bold, brilliant business decisions.
Their stories will serve as great inspiration as we invite rural women to join us for this fabulous event in the spirit of celebration, friendship and support.
Louise Day runs New Sheepfold Farm at Ingleby Greenhow in the North York Moors National Park alongside her husband Mark, combining traditional beef and sheep farming, native and rare breeds, with award-winning diversification projects. From luxury farm-stay accommodation to an innovative vending shop supplying home-reared beef and lamb, Louise has built a business that celebrates local food, rural heritage, and sustainable farming practices.
Dairy farmer Helen Stanier farms with her family near York having returned home 12 years ago following a career in food retail. Helen manages 500 pedigree Jersey cows and in 2017, she took the bold step to process their own milk – Greyleys Jersey Milk – for on-farm milk vending machines and wholesale milk deliveries to local cafés and restaurants. Helen is also a member of the national NFU Dairy Board.
Farmer’s daughter Kathryn Bumby is the founder of premium British pasta outfit, The Yorkshire Pasta Company, based near Malton. The young mother-of-two identified a gap in the market for British-made pasta and has creating an award-winning artisan brand by combining authentic traditional techniques learnt in Italy with a planet-friendly ethos.
The Women In Farming Network brings together rural women from across the county in the spirit of personal and professional development and support. The Network was created in 2013 following requests from women living and working on farms and related industries.
The Network holds a rolling programme of events to bring the community together and hosts a private Yorkshire Women In Farming Facebook group of almost 800 members to keep conversations and support going all year round.
Places at the Women In Farming Autumn Gathering are priced £25, inclusive of refreshments, lunch, networking opportunities and an optional farm tour.
To book, visit yas.co.uk/womeninfarming
