Magazine

Female Power on the Farm

2026 is the UN International Year of Women Farmers — a great opportunity to visit four women who run a farm and agritourism business with passion, expertise, and dedication.

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers. Its goal: to raise global awareness of the central role women play in agriculture and to recognize their indispensable contributions to food security, rural development, and society. Although women do a large part of agricultural work, they are often not very visible in the public eye.

Women Drive Agriculture — even in Switzerland

A look at the numbers shows that in Switzerland, 37% of the agricultural workforce is made up of women—a significant proportion. And yet, only 7.7% of farms are run by women. By comparison, in Austria, women run 36% of agricultural operations, and in France, 24.5%. So Switzerland still has room for improvement, but things are moving in the right direction. (Source: Agricultural Information Service LID). 

Our tip: In keeping with the UN Year, the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum is hosting the special exhibition “Women in Agriculture: Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow” which highlights the daily lives and achievements of female farmers. The Agricultural Information Service (LID) conceived the exhibition and produced it in collaboration with the Swiss Women Farmers' Association (SBLV) and the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg. It’s well worth a visit!

Four Women, Two Farms, One Passion

We interviewed four women who are actively shaping agritourism in Switzerland: Brit Eli Stuber and Nadine Stuber from the Hof zur Linde in Attiswil (BE), as well as Madeleine Bachmann and her daughter Tanja from the Wydhof in Flaach (ZH). We asked all four the same questions and received fascinating, personal answers and insights:

How did you get into agritourism?
Brit Eli Stuber from Hof zur Linde remembers it well: It was continuing education courses at agricultural schools that opened her eyes. When the Stöckli on the farm became available, she saw her chance. With financial support from the Regional Development Project (PRE), the historic granary was renovated, and a second vacation rental was added in 2019. The first guest, in the summer of 2002, was a ten-year-old boy visiting with his grandparents from the region. “He was thrilled, had many ‘aha’ moments with us, and is coming back next year,” says Brit Eli.

Madeleine Bachmann from the Wydhof, on the other hand, saw agritourism from the very beginning as an opportunity to establish her own source of income on the farm. And with it, to gain social security—something that was by no means a given in agriculture in the past.

What are guests looking for on your farm today?
The answers from the four hosts paint a clear picture: Guests are looking for authenticity and a glimpse into everyday farm life. They want contact with animals, the quiet, and the fresh air. And they want to meet people who welcome them with open arms. “Some are looking for interaction with the animals and activities like helping out on the farm. Others enjoy the country air with a book in the garden,” says Brit Eli Stuber. Many regular guests return year after year; some are now celebrating their tenth “anniversary” at Hof zur Linde. The greatest compliment for Brit Eli is when a regular guest says upon arrival, “It’s like coming home again.” 

When it comes to the future of agritourism, everyone agrees: it’s becoming increasingly important to give people access to agriculture. “As a counterbalance to their often hectic everyday lives, people are looking for something down-to-earth and authentic,” says Brit Eli. Madeleine Bachmann sees a trend toward professionalization: “Guests’ expectations are rising. If you want to be successful, you have to invest—in infrastructure and in quality.”

What motivates you, and what challenges you?
Tanja Bachmann, who manages the Wydhof as operations manager, cites one major challenge: As a woman in a male-dominated environment, she initially had to assert herself more strongly than her male colleagues. “I now have several years of professional experience and feel that, as a woman, I’m on equal footing,” she says today. She also works part-time in agricultural education—where women are still in the minority.

For Brit Eli Stuber, agritourism is far more than just a source of extra income: “It has allowed me to establish my own niche on the farm.” The opportunity to meet people from all over the world, to foster understanding between urban and rural areas, and to share her own way of life—that’s what drives her. The biggest hurdles when getting started? Legal requirements such as the Spatial Planning Act and food regulations.

Madeleine Bachmann adds a golden rule: “You have to like people.” She shares her home, her property, and a part of her life—and finds it deeply enriching. “In my personal interactions with my guests, I hear fascinating life stories,” she says.

How do you view women in agriculture today and tomorrow?
“The agriculture of the future needs the experience, knowledge, and commitment of women.” Women are particularly successful today in agritourism, direct marketing, and organic farming, where they bring new ideas to the table. “Equality and better opportunities for women strengthen not only agriculture but also society as a whole,” she concludes.

Two Farms Worth Visiting

In Flaach, in the heart of the Zurich wine country, Tanja Bachmann runs the Wydhof as farm manager, while her mother Madeleine primarily takes care of the guests. In the lovingly furnished Bungert-Hüsli, couples can enjoy a nature-filled experience, while the guesthouse—with sleeping on straw, family rooms, and shared rooms—offers families, groups, and school classes an eventful getaway. In the morning, a homemade farmhouse breakfast awaits; in the evening, a fire pit under the starry sky.

The Hof zur Linde in Attiswil, Bern, is a stately 18th-century farmhouse. Host Brit Eli Stuber offers two vacation apartments here that accommodate up to 6 people: the charming, two-story “Stöckli 1747” and the “Spycher,” a protected historic building that the Stubers carefully renovated in 2019. The “NaturWellness” wellness program—featuring a hot tub, sauna, barefoot path, and herb garden—is another highlight for those seeking relaxation.


Even More Women’s Leadership on Swiss Farms

In our selection, you’ll find many more farms that are run by women or significantly shaped by them. Here’s a selection:

 Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.