Der Hof in ihren Händen (The Farm in Her Hands)
Germany, 2025—Ongoing

What does the concept of home signify when residential and working spaces are identical? On family-run agricultural holdings, the farm forms the centre of life for several generations, resulting in a deep-rooted sense of belonging, as individuals grow up on the same land that their ancestors cultivated.

The historical pattern of patriarchal inheritance in Germany meant that farms were passed down along male lines. Despite land being transferred to a growing number of women more recently, traditional role models continue to shape reality, as 35% of the agricultural workforce are women, yet only 11% of them hold leadership positions.*

Arable farming, livestock husbandry and operating machinery are physically demanding, while bureaucracy, administration and marketing shape everyday life. Responsibility for the running of the farm alongside family care frequently places women farmers under a dual burden. In doing so, they secure not only the continuity of their own farms, but also our food supply and the economic and social future of rural areas. Nevertheless, their contributions often remain invisible.

Ten farms have been documented to date; a detailed portfolio is available on request.