They are the heart of the farms, talented organizers and often overly burdened with work: The Technical University of Munich has examined what it means to be a farmer in Bavaria.
The study shows that being a farmer is a dream job for many.
But also that most of them would like more recognition.
Penzberg / Munich
- Sunday is holy for Maria Lidl.
Because she is a believer - and because it is the day she keeps free for the family.
At the Bartlbauer Hof in Rain near Penzberg (Weilheim-Schongau district), the animals and the weather set the pace.
Maria Lidl made a conscious decision to live as a farmer.
She has been running the farm with her husband Toni for 20 years, but has given up her job at a bank.
The two raised four children together, among other things look after 50 dairy cows and offer holidays on the farm.
Everyone has their tasks on the farm, the children and the mother-in-law help, the son will take over the business.
“The distribution of roles between my husband and me is still very traditional,” says Lidl.
The couple are not alone in this, as a new study shows.
In 2019, the Technical University of Munich surveyed women farmers on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture.
2295 women between 18 and 82 years of age responded to the call and answered 79 questions on various areas of life.
Maria Lidl also took part and yesterday followed online the results of the researchers led by Jutta Roosen.
"The women are involved in the companies in many ways and manage a high workload," summarizes Roosen, who holds the chair for marketing and consumer research at the TUM in Weihenstephan.
In addition to the work on the farm, which 50 percent of the participants run together with their partner, household, gardening, childcare and the care of relatives are primarily the responsibility of women.
Many said they had little free time - and rarely went on vacation.
Maria Lidl and her husband go away for a few days once a year, and the mother of four uses free time for bike rides.
She says: "I really appreciate the fact that, apart from the stable times, you have a free schedule."
Not only the activities of women and the workload were queried.
The study entitled “Being a farmer in Bavaria” also looked at the question of how satisfied the participants are with their job.
“The women identify strongly with agriculture and its businesses,” says Jutta Roosen.
"At the same time, the majority has the feeling that they are being given little recognition."
Maria Lidl is also one of the 86 percent of those surveyed who said that the farmers' reputation had declined.
“The pressure from outside is getting bigger and bigger,” she says.
“You often have the feeling that you have to justify yourself.” She also comes into contact with consumers through the vacationers at the Bartlbauer Hof.
"Many then already understand why we do what we do."
Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) is also moved by the fact that women farmers consider the image of agriculture to be bad.
“I want to portray agriculture confidently,” she says.
According to the minister, the pandemic has not yet been taken into account.
However, the past few months have caused a rethink among consumers.
And for regional goods and their producers to be valued again.
Kaniber is convinced: "For most of them, being a farmer is a dream job."
Maria Lidl doesn't regret her decision to go into agriculture.
Although the work is exhausting and attacks on the farmers cost strength and wear down.
“I've always appreciated how well this job can be reconciled with family,” she says.
"I am a farmer and I like to be."
