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Farmers and growers should harness the strengths of neurodiverse talent

Having found farming and growing can help her manage her ADHD, Liz presents how the industry could gain a lot by welcoming more neurodivergent people in.

Watch Liz's speech at the 2025 Oxford Farming Conference.

Tenant farmer Liz Haines has been on a journey of discovery to find out more about how neurodivergent people can find their place in farming and growing. Having completed her Nuffield scholarship on the subject in 2024, she spoke more about her findings at the Oxford Farming Conference in 2025.

Having been diagnosed with ADHD in 2022, she spoke about how this diagnosis suddenly made othe aspects of her life make more sense, and that by recognising the condition, she's since been able to use it to shape her own success.

“I now know that it’s the reason I’m impulsive, entrepreneurial, creative, unafraid to take risks,” she said. “I needed to be my own boss and do a job that is different every day.”

Having travelled Scotland, Ireland, Australia and the United States in her studies, Liz has found that farming is uniquely suited to neurodivergent minds. The variety, autonomy and hands-on nature of the work can be a perfect fit for those who struggle in rigid office environments.

“Many people are choosing or staying in agriculture because it suits neurodivergent ways of thinking - and that’s something we should be celebrating.”

Liz’s research with Farmers Weekly found that 36% of respondents in farming identified as neurodivergent - more than a third of all respondents. “If we’re not talking about this, we’re missing out on a huge pool of talent,” she said.

Neurodivergent people can be the backbone of a dedicated workforce

She urged farmers to rethink recruitment and retention strategies.

“You’ve already got neurodivergent people in your business. Listen to their experiences and create a space where they can talk about it,” she said.

By making simple adjustments - such as providing noise-cancelling headphones, visual training aids, or flexible rotas - farmers and growers really can build strong ties with staff and begin to unlock their potential.

From inclusive pig farms in Australia to social farming in Ireland, Liz’s global research shows that when farms embrace neurodiversity, everyone benefits.

“If they can make this work on a pig farm in the outback, we can definitely make it work here,” she said.

For farmers and growers facing labour shortages and succession challenges, the message is clear: neurodiverse people aren’t just a good fit - they’re a smart investment.

TIAH would like to thank the Oxford Farming Conference for sharing Liz' speech. You can read Liz' report on the Nuffield Scholarship website.