At the 2025 European Agricultural Forum, we took part in a panel discussion focused on social transformations in rural areas and the role of local initiatives in building their attractiveness and resilience. The discussion centered on demographic challenges, the declining role of agriculture as the main source of livelihood, the situation of women in rural areas, infrastructure, and the need to support social capital. These issues were discussed under the theme: “The countryside beyond agriculture. Social initiatives as an opportunity for a sustainable and attractive rural life.”
The panel was moderated by Monika Szewczyk-Wittek from the Polska z Natury Foundation, and the panelists included:
Monika Stanny – Director of the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN)
Małgorzata Bojańczyk – Vice President of the Agro Woman Foundation
Andrzej Hałasiewicz – Chair of the Board of the Foundation for the Development of Polish Agriculture
Grażyna Jałgos-Dębska – Vice President of the National Association of Village Leaders
Agnieszka Wącławska – Member of the Rural Housewives’ Association in Żarnowica
Hamish Marr – Special Envoy of New Zealand for Agricultural Trade
The discussion opened with Monika Stanny presenting data highlighting the ongoing shift of rural areas away from agriculture and the growing diversity of rural life in Poland. She pointed out that the countryside is no longer a uniform space, and the problems and needs of residents vary increasingly depending on location, function, and access to services:
When Poland joined the European Union, 52% of rural residents were engaged in agriculture. Today, that number is only 22%. The rest are so-called ‘non-farming rural population.’ The countryside is becoming less homogenous – we now have suburban, gentrifying villages, peripheral villages losing functions and population, and areas experiencing severe depopulation. Processes such as deagrarianization, depopulation, or urbanization cannot be stopped – we must learn to manage them and mitigate their negative effects.
Source: European Agricultural Forum
Later discussions addressed women’s entrepreneurship, access to public services, and the importance of supporting the development of local leaders. Representing the Agro Woman Foundation, Małgorzata Bojańczyk referenced both global FAO data and findings from the “Women in Agriculture” study conducted by Agro Woman in collaboration with the Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences:
FAO data shows that as economies develop, fewer people work in agri-food systems. In Poland, this shift disproportionately affects women, who—although better educated than men—are less likely to formally manage farms and more likely to migrate from rural areas in search of professional fulfillment. Rural areas are increasingly becoming spaces for entrepreneurship—in services, tourism, crafts—and it is these new directions that should be supported.
Much attention was also given to the role of local initiatives and encouraging people to take action. Małgorzata Bojańczyk shared insights from the Agro Woman Foundation’s mentoring program:
We’ve created a system that gives women in rural areas opportunities for personal and professional development. We paired them with leaders and managers from the agri-food industry. The results were incredible—the participants not only gained new skills, but also the confidence to make decisions. This is how social capital is built and local women leaders emerge, inspiring their communities. We will continue this work in the coming year.
In conclusion, the speakers agreed that the countryside of the future is a multifunctional space, open to diversity and co-created by its residents. Maintaining the attractiveness of rural life requires systemic action: investment in public services, education, transportation, digital infrastructure, and culture. Local leaders—especially women—and flexible funding sources for grassroots initiatives are also essential. As highlighted during the panel, the countryside does not have to be defined solely by agriculture—it can and should be a place where people want to live, work, and engage in community life.
The European Agricultural Forum is one of the most important industry events in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, dedicated to the future of agriculture and rural areas. Each year, the forum brings together representatives from the agri-food sector, policymakers, experts, scientists, and farmers, providing a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and jointly shaping development strategies. Alongside economic topics, increasing attention is being given to social issues and rural quality of life.
The Agro Woman Foundation invites you to take part in a unique initiative aimed at promoting women who run farms. We want to share the stories of female farmers who, with passion and determination, develop their farms every day—whether through crop production, animal husbandry, food processing, or innovative agricultural solutions.
Farming is not just a job, it’s a way of life—it requires commitment, knowledge, and immense strength, and women play a key role in it. Through this initiative, we want to showcase what daily life looks like for women in agriculture, the challenges they face, and what brings them the most satisfaction. See who has already shared their story.
Why should you share your story? Every woman running a farm has unique experiences. By sharing your professional journey, you can:
Inspire other women – Your story might help those considering starting a farm or developing their existing one.
Share knowledge – Agriculture is constantly evolving, and exchanging experiences and practical solutions is key to success.
Strengthen the community of women farmers – We want women in agriculture to support each other, share experiences, and grow their farms together.
Show the reality of rural work – Farming is both passion and challenge, and raising awareness is essential.
Through the interviews published on the Agro Woman website, we aim to create a space for sharing stories that can inspire others. We highlight the successes, struggles, and everyday life of women in agriculture—all to strengthen their position and emphasize their contribution to the development of the agri-food sector.
How to take part? If you’d like to talk about your farm, experiences, and challenges, just fill out the application form.
Based on the submissions, we will contact selected participants to conduct an interview. The application deadline is April 11, 2025 – don’t wait, join our initiative today!
The first meeting of the Agro Woman Program Council in 2025 is behind us. It was an opportunity to discuss our goals and planned initiatives for the coming months. The central theme of the discussion was the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and their significance for the development of women’s entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector. We reflected on our past efforts and explored new initiatives we aim to implement to effectively support women working in agro-food.
The meeting also served as a moment to summarize our achievements from 2024. The past year was a time of intensive activity and significant successes for Agro Woman:
We organized the second edition of the Agro Woman conference, dedicated to women in agriculture, which received great interest and positive feedback.
We successfully completed Poland’s first pilot mentoring program aimed at entrepreneurial women in the agricultural sector.
In collaboration with the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences, we conducted the first nationwide study on the socio-professional situation of women farmers.
Equality and diversity are the foundation of a just society, and they must include both female leaders and women managing farms. Supporting women farmers is not just a matter of fairness—it is an investment in the future of the agri-food sector, which needs the skills, experience, and perspective of women. Poland now has a unique opportunity to show that gender equality is not just a declaration, but a real tool for strengthening the economy and the European community. Strong women in the countryside mean strong agriculture—and strong agriculture is a stable future for all.
– said Karolina Tarnawska, President of the Agro Woman Foundation, during the meeting.
Our efforts also included numerous meetings that became valuable platforms for sharing experiences and best practices among women in the agro-food sector, both in Poland and internationally. This cooperation allowed us to build a network of contacts and create a space for further development and mutual support.
The Polish Presidency of the EU Council is a moment when we can effectively shape Europe’s approach to agriculture, including the role of women in the sector. Participating in the preparations for the Presidency allowed us to ensure that the broad spectrum of social interests was reflected in its priorities, including the voices of women representing this industry. It’s not only a chance to build a strong support network on both national and international levels but also an opportunity to drive real change that enhances the visibility and impact of women in agriculture. A stronger presence of women farmers in European dialogue is a step toward a more sustainable and equitable agri-food sector.
– emphasized Małgorzata Bojańczyk, Vice President of the Agro Woman Foundation and a member of the NGO Council for the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
In 2025, we plan to continue our current initiatives and expand our activities with new projects that will further strengthen the position of women in the agri-food sector. We will place particular emphasis on building a strong support network at the national and European levels, as well as developing international cooperation.
Agro Woman’s partner is the Polish Association of Sustainable Agriculture and Food. Our content partner is the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which supports us in research and analytical activities. The Embassies of France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Germany have taken patronage over our international cooperation—this strengthens our presence on the international stage and allows us to develop initiatives with real impact on the situation of women in the agri-food sector in Poland and across Europe.
On January 23, at the invitation of the National Council of Agricultural Chambers (KRiR), Agro Woman had the honor of participating in a meeting of the Presidium of the Council for Women and Families. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to discuss key issues related to supporting women, especially those active in the agricultural sector who combine demanding professional work with household responsibilities and family life every day.
During the discussion, a wide range of topics concerning women in rural areas was addressed, with a special focus on their role in farms, rural entrepreneurship, and gender equality. We talked about what equal opportunities really mean and how they should be understood in the context of rural life and agricultural work. It was crucial to emphasize that women in agriculture are not only physically working but also managing farms, handling finances, engaging in social and educational activities, and contributing to the development of local communities.
One of the key topics was advisory support for women farmers – both in terms of running a business and access to training and support programs. Together, we explored which tools and initiatives can genuinely strengthen the position of women in rural areas and increase their participation in social and professional life.
Particular attention was also paid to women’s health and psychophysical well-being. We discussed the challenges related to menopause, stress caused by multitasking, and the need to build awareness around self-care. An important thread was also the role of seniors in multigenerational families and how to combine their life wisdom with the energy of the younger generation. The multigenerational family model, still present in rural areas, is a tremendous asset worth nurturing and strengthening.
The discussions also highlighted how important the role of men is in striving for gender equality and supporting women in everyday life. Cooperation and mutual understanding are key to building a sustainable and strong rural community. Men play a fundamental role in breaking stereotypes and creating spaces where women can develop their passions and professional skills. Their support – both in family life and in professional areas – contributes to real change and improved quality of life in the countryside.
The meeting was incredibly inspiring and opened the door for further collaboration on initiatives that support women in agriculture. We are convinced that the actions taken, based on dialogue and mutual support between women and men, will bring tangible results and contribute to building a stronger, more integrated rural community.
We would like to thank Ms. Jolanta Nawrocka – Member of the KRiR Board, and Mr. Wiktor Szmulewicz – President of the KRiR Board, as well as the other representatives of the Presidium of the Women’s Council:
Zofia Stankiewicz – First Deputy Chair (Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship)
Hanna Chodkowska – Second Deputy Chair (Mazovian Voivodeship)
Krystyna Janecka – Member of the Presidium (Lesser Poland Voivodeship)
Dorota Różnicka – Member of the Presidium (Lower Silesian Voivodeship)
Alina Radecka – Member of the Presidium (Subcarpathian Voivodeship)
Jolanta Wielgat – Member of the Presidium (Podlaskie Voivodeship)
We would also like to thank Katarzyna Szczepaniak – Director of the KRiR Office.
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