Married to the farm: scripts for women on family farms and their impact on farm succession in Germany

Purpose In the context of family farm succession in Germany, this study identifies and analyzes cultural scripts for women who married into German family farms and now play a decisive role in shaping the farm transfer process as part of the nuclear family network. The behavioral patterns women adopted upon joining the respective farms influence their perspectives on the farm transfer to the next generation. Design/methodology/approach The authors observed farm transfer seminars preparing family farm incumbents for the farm transfer and interviewed farm advisors and succession consultants. The observation fieldnotes and interview data were analyzed inductively and deductively, focusing on the experiences of women on family farms and their impacts in the context of the upcoming farm transfer. Findings The analysis revealed industriousness, taking over farm work, taking over care work and subordination as scripts women adopted when marrying into a family farm. Therefore, the women find themselves in a state of physical and mental strain and show an unfulfilled need for recognition and appreciation. Their strong identification with both the farm and the work has left many anxious about losing their role and identification due to the upcoming farm transfer. Originality/value By applying scripts to the farm succession context in Germany, the study offers a new perspective to women’s role in agriculture. The results reveal intergenerational conflicts and the emotional toll of these scripts as well as the potential for change from one generation to the next.