In the rolling landscapes of the Adelaide Hills, agriculture has always been part of Erin Cranwell‘s life. Raised on her family’s farm, surrounded by generations of growers, she developed an early connection to farming that would ultimately shape her future.
Today, Erin works closely with her father and brother managing the Family Farm Operations and Marketing, helping lead a business that has been growing brussels sprout for more than 130 years. Yet her journey into agriculture was not defined by tradition alone. It was driven by curiosity, determination and a desire to contribute her own ideas to an industry she loves.
“I was born into the family farm and grew up around it,” Erin recalls. “But it wasn’t until I started working here after high school that I realised how much passion there was behind what we do.”
Seeing firsthand the dedication of her family inspired her to build her own career in agriculture. The more she learned about the industry, the more motivated she became to be part of its future.
Like many women working in agriculture, Erin’s path was not without challenges.
“When I first started, I saw myself as a worker,” she says. “Then I realised there was more I wanted to contribute.”
Working within a multi-generational family business meant learning how to balance respect for experience with the confidence to bring forward new ideas. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring her voice was heard.
“The challenge was being taken seriously.”
Rather than stepping back, Erin chose to move forward. She worked hard, kept asking questions and sought to understand different perspectives. Over time, she found ways to turn ideas into action and build trust through results.
That persistence helped her grow into the leadership role she holds today.
One of the achievements she is most proud of is helping continue a farming legacy that stretches back more than a century.
“Our business has been growing produce for over 130 years,” she says. “Being able to continue that legacy is pretty special.”
Yet for Erin, legacy is not only about preserving the past. It is also about helping shape the future.
Throughout her career, she has benefited from the support of family, industry partners, customers and mentors. Today, she is committed to paying that support forward by helping the next generation navigate their own agricultural journeys.
“When I meet young women in the industry, I like to share the challenges I’ve overcome and help them keep moving forward.”
Looking across the sector, Erin has witnessed significant change. Advances in automation, technology and compliance have transformed the way farms operate. At the same time, she believes the future of agriculture will be strengthened by greater diversity in leadership and decision-making.
“Women bring a different perspective,” she explains. “They often see the whole picture in a different way, and it’s exciting to think about the changes that can happen as more women lead farms and businesses.”
For Erin, the future also depends on sustainability. Every decision made on the farm today must contribute to the long-term success of both the business and the broader agricultural sector. From crop nutrition to product quality and shelf life, she believes sustainable thinking is essential to ensuring agriculture continues to thrive for generations to come.
Her message to young women considering a career in agriculture is simple:
“Give it a crack.”
Agriculture offers countless opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact. While challenges will always exist, Erin believes perseverance is the key to overcoming them.
“Don’t let anyone stop you or get you down if you’re not being taken seriously. Keep going. The rewards are worth it.”
As part of the Roots of Her campaign, Erin’s story reminds us that agriculture is built not only on the strength of its traditions, but also on the courage of those willing to shape its future.
Watch Erin’s full story and discover how she is helping shape the future of Australian agriculture.
▶ Watch the video on our YouTube channel
