Celebrating Yorkshire's women in farming

But her career in the financial world and marketing set her up well for her return to Carr House Farm and the Side Oven Bakery in Foston - and she is set to tell all about her unusual path into the family business at the fourth annual Yorkshire Rural Support Network Women in Farming Conference, which takes place next month.

Miss Sellers, 34, said: “I really wanted my independence and didn’t want to be part of the industry.

“I ended up working in insurance marketing in Leeds, loved working in the city and thoroughly loved my job but it got to the point where I could either specialise further in the insurance industry, or move on, and I didn’t feel passionate enough about it to continue.”

She moved to a family firm in Huddersfield, and soon after it was her mother Caroline, who set up the bakery side of the business 14 years ago, who persuaded her back.

“There was never any pressure - if it didn’t work out, I was welcome to go away again,” she said. “I moved back three and a half years ago and haven’t looked back since. I started by sweeping the floors, emptying the bins, and learning the ropes from the bottom, and my feet haven’t touched the ground since.”

The farm has been in the family for six generations, and since the launch of the bakery it has gone from strength to strength. It now exports to France, runs courses and open days, and is about to launch a gluten-free range.

Jessica’s sister, who also vowed she’d never join the business, was also welcomed back home last year.

“We’ve just got busier and busier,” Jessica, who is now a director of Side Oven Bakery said. “Things are really taking off.”

Also speaking at the conference on October 10, which is themed around the realities of getting started in business or building on an existing rural business, will be Helmsley farmer Christine Thompson.

Christine, who is secretary of Ryedale Show and vice-chair of the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA), ran a successful farm secretarial company at her farm until 2012.

She will give guidance on the professional administrative support available to new and expanding businesses.

Angela Gorton, an employment solicitor and director at Lupton Fawcett LLP in York will help to dispel some of the myths of employing staff - a key consideration for a growing business.

Staff from the rural development team at the Rural Payments Agency will be available to chat about funding to anyone with personal ideas and plans within their business.

The event is very much about taking some of the leg work out of what can be a minefield in commencing with a project.

Kate Dale, Yorkshire Rural Support Network’s Coordinator, said: “The conference will celebrate women’s role in farming in its widest sense as the Society continues to promote British farming to help maintain a vibrant working countryside particularly in the north of England.

“Women have demonstrated that they can bring a different dimension to business and our speakers will share their individual hints and tips without shying away from some of the pitfalls. All have a wealth of experience in assessing and analysing the needs of rural businesses in today’s climate and in understanding and encouraging each other.”

John Pinches, Agricultural Area Manager for Yorkshire and The North East of England at co-sponsor Barclays, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Women in Farming Network once again and we recognise the invaluable contribution women can and do make within many farming and rural businesses.

“This event shines a light on their perspective for getting started in business or developing an existing business as farming moves into a new era.”

Elizabeth Nelson, rural director at co-sponsor Savills, says: “Savills specialists in rural consultancy, food and farming, planning and architectural and building services will be on hand to offer advice and practical support for established and fledgling farming and rural business women wanting to ensure their enterprises and performance are the best they can be, whether it be crop production, diversification options or buildings in the countryside.

“This promises to be another hugely inspirational and empowering event with a talented line up of speakers and an invaluable networking opportunity.”

The Women in Farming conference takes place at Pavillions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Tuesday October 10.

There is still time to book a place but registration is essential.

Contact Kate Dale, the Network Coordinator at [email protected] or telephone 07912 495604 to book a place.

The event, which runs from 10.30am to 2.30pm, costs £10 a head which includes a buffet lunch.

A raffle will be held, with the proceeds given to The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.