A young woman in the UK, driven by her passion for agriculture, made a bold decision to forgo university and became a full-fledged farmer instead. Erin Murgatroyd, 22 years old, works as a cattle farmer at a dairy farm in Devon, England, taking care of 400 cows in Blackawton village.
Erin, upon completing her A-levels in high school, opted for a career in farming over higher education. She expressed her love for getting “covered in mud from head to toe” rather than being confined to an office. Despite the pressure from teachers who had high expectations for her to attend a prestigious university, she chose to pursue agriculture as a way to vent her frustrations.
Reflecting on her decision, Erin has no regrets. With an annual income of £32,000 ($40,430), her daily tasks involve cleaning the cow sheds and milking the cows. She mentioned that if she had aspirations of becoming a doctor or an architect, she might have considered university. However, her passion lies in the practicality of agriculture.
“I enjoy farming because it’s very hands-on,” Erin said. “I’ve learned many skills outdoors. I take pride in caring for the cows and producing quality milk.”
Starting at 18 years old, Erin worked at Handham View, a cattle farm in Woodleigh, where she earned £8 ($10) per hour feeding calves and monitoring livestock health. After five years of dedicated work, she can now work for 12 consecutive days before resting for 2 days.
“My annual salary of £32,000 is quite substantial for someone my age,” she remarked.
Erin and her 27-year-old boyfriend, Matt Neal, a construction worker, are considering building their own house. She believes that the practical skills and knowledge she has gained from farming surpass what she could have learned at university, avoiding the burden of debts.
Encouraging other women and young girls to consider agricultural careers, Erin, the only female full-time farmer in her family, acknowledges the male-dominated nature of the industry. She inspires others to break the stereotype and explore the rewarding aspects of working in agriculture.
Surprising the elderly farmers with her young age and dedication to farming, Erin’s commitment and hard work have earned her respect in the community. Recognizing that women excel in dairy farming due to their patience and attention to detail, she continues to challenge gender norms in the industry.
Although she occasionally feels she missed out on experiences like a “Gap Year” or travel, Erin finds fulfillment in her work and believes that every sacrifice is worthwhile. She emphasizes that farming is not an easy job but one that requires dedication and hard work to reap the rewards of a fulfilling career.