Women in Farming grew out of Focus on Farmers.  Six women artists explored the life and work of three women hill farmers on Dartmoor. 

During the project the artists recorded their experiences of life on a farm.  The intent has been not only to explore farming practice, but to look at the people themselves, and the place in which they live and work.  The artists shadowed the farmers on their daily routines, on and off the farm –– caring for livestock, haymaking, attending livestock sales, running errands, meeting with DNP and Defra officials, completing paperwork, etc.  The artists muck in with farm and household chores.

The exhibition phase of Women in Farming began on March 6, 2008, at Exeter Phoenix. Thereafter, the exhibition, probably in various guises, will tour venues in Devon and hopefully around the southwest. The exhibition will remain on tour at least until the autumn of 2009, but there are still gaps in the schedule and if you're interested in exhibiting the work, please do contact us.

The WiF Farms, Farmers, and Artists are:

Juliette Rich Wingstone Farm* Manaton	Mary Lou North Batworthy Farm Chagford	Sue Peach Drywells Farm Widecombe-in-the-Moor
© Tot Foster 2008 Tot Foster, Lead Artist Maddy Pethick, Apprentice	© Penny Klepuszewska 2008 Anthea Nicholson, Lead Artist Penny Kiepuszewska, Apprentice	© Jennie Hayes 2008 Jennie Hayes, Lead Artist Louise Evans, Appentice

Find more information here about the farms. Find more information here about the artists.

* At the beginning of the project, Tot and Maddy were working with Elizabeth Braund & Rosemary Bird at East Shallowford Farm (Widecombe-in-the-Moor). After a fall on the farm, Rosemary has become incapacitated and no longer able to work on the farm, and we felt it appropriate to withdraw rather than add an extra burden to East Shallowford. We are very grateful for their involvement in the project and we send our very best wishes to Rosemary.

Women in Farming is funded by Arts Council England and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, with additional funding from the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund, Dartmoor National Park, West Devon Borough Council and Teignbridge District Council.

Thanks to the project funders