15/10/2024
I’m often asked by other women why I created the George the Farmer brand with a male lead instead of a female one. To be honest, it often feels a bit like a criticism. So today, in honour of International Day for Rural Women, I thought I’d share my reasoning.
Back in 2012, I was lying on my bed one afternoon with my eldest son George, who was two at the time, stretching out my big pregnant belly — very full as I was expecting his twin brothers. I was trying to find some fun farming apps or books to keep George entertained when his brothers arrived. He was absolutely obsessed with the farm, and any chance he had to tag along with my husband Justin, he’d jump at it.
During my search, I only came across American or English books and apps, most of them featuring Old MacDonald types in daggy overalls, collecting eggs and milking cows by hand. That wasn’t at all reflective of what happens on our farm or others I knew. There was also no character telling real, sequential stories about modern life on the land and commercial agriculture. That’s when I realised I needed to create a character. Naturally, I named him after my inspiration — my firstborn, George!
But growing up on a farm and living in a rural area with many friends in agriculture, I knew I wanted women to have a strong presence in our stories.
That’s where Dr Ruby comes in. Ruby Farmer is George’s brilliant agronomist wife (with a PhD), who also happens to be a farmer. Her character was inspired by my great friend, Dr Cath Kidman from Coonawarra, who holds a PhD in viticulture and was recently named Viticulturist of the Year. She’s pretty clever, to say the least! And funnily enough, Cath’s husband is also named George — he too inspired lots of George the Farmer’s character traits.
Dr Ruby saves the day in many of our stories and even takes the lead in some, like Ruby and the Dairy Dilemma and The Island of Big Ideas. And when Ruby doesn’t appear, another strong female in ag does—like Susan, the skilled shearer from New Zealand, or Jo the beekeeper. I created the George the Farmer brand to not only educate about farming, food and fibre, but to champion women in agriculture and highlight the fact that women make up 50% of the ag workforce. Even though George is the face of the brand, strong women in agriculture are always front and centre in our stories and videos.
George the Farmer is a 100% female led and owned brand. I hope if you’re a fan, you see and appreciate our strong female characters. And, I’m always happy to hear feedback otherwise.
This year’s theme for International Day of Rural Women is "Rural Women Sustaining Nature for Our Collective Future: Building climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, and caring for land towards gender equality and empowerment."
As the United Nations highlights, "Women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labor force, including informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas. They make significant contributions to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience." Happy International Day of Rural Women! And here’s to Dr. Ruby Farmer!
Simone xo
Goomalling Licensed Post Office - locally owned and operated, serving the local community, Est 1910
