Hello Sarah Fitz-Koch, PhD student at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences!

Find the passion and do something meaningful. Then you succeed as a farmer and entrepreneur,” says Sarah Fitz-Koch, a researcher on identity formation.

Tell me – how do farmers’ identities affect their entrepreneurship?
– In general, agricultural entrepreneurs are no different from other entrepreneurs. There are many different types in each industry. It is only when individuals discover what they are passionate about – such as farming, sales, food or money – that they can develop an entrepreneurial identity. In this way, becoming an entrepreneur is a unique profession, you can shape it to suit who you are – your identity.

– An individual who takes over a farm from their parents may reduce farming and focus more on farm sales because they are more interested in sales than in farming. In this way, identity affects entrepreneurship.

Your research shows that people have different identities throughout their career. How do you mean?
– Throughout our lives – and careers – we experience things and meet people who influence us. We may become parents, face adversity and develop new interests. As a result, identities are built and changed over time. A farmer who starts out with traditional farming may eventually become committed to sustainability and choose to invest their time in sustainable farming instead. Then they have a new entrepreneurial identity, which includes multiple identities. Identities come and go, and therefore change entrepreneurship over time.

– Some newcomers to agriculture, who have chosen the profession because they want to contribute to a sustainable world, do not see themselves as entrepreneurs. They just identify themselves as someone who wants to create sustainable food. But eventually, through social interaction and new perspectives, the individual may begin to see themselves as an entrepreneur. They have then created an entrepreneurial identity.

What are the barriers and opportunities for developing an entrepreneurial identity?
– Fear and shame about potential financial losses, and the opinions of others about it, can be a barrier. It affects the decisions and actions of farmers. But that kind of obstacle can be overcome with a strong belief in yourself and the idea you are passionate about, even if you make mistakes along the way. Mistakes are also important.

– Regulatory burden, unfavorable industry structures, bureaucracy, culture and attitude are other common barriers that limit entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial identities in the Swedish agricultural sector. They can be overcome by engaging with other entrepreneurs, learning from other industries and participating in networks and collaborations.

It sounds like entrepreneurship can be learned. Is that correct?
– Yes, it is possible. Finding passion and purpose is the first and perhaps most important task in developing an entrepreneurial identity. It is independent of the sector. Experiment with possible “I’s”! To succeed, you need to engage with the fundamental questions of Who am I? Who will I be? Why should I do it?

– I see that people who have taken over the farm from their parents often run the farm differently from them. Parents’ ways do not reflect who you are. Those who have a purpose and feel motivated will be able to accomplish even the most difficult tasks. Working on something that is deeply meaningful and reflects one’s identity breeds success. In addition to passion and purpose, persistence, proactivity and a market-oriented approach are necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Is there anything in your research that surprised you?
– Yes, that despite the long hours and hard work as an entrepreneur, you can achieve happiness and well-being by doing something that is truly meaningful. Well-being and success are born from the feeling of working on something that is meaningful and reflects one’s identity.

Sarah Fitz-Koch has presented her doctoral thesis. Who am I, and if so, how many? Identity Dynamics in Agricultural Entrepreneurship at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Today, she works as a researcher at Cefeo, the Center for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership at Jönköping International Business School. The thesis is based on interviews with farmers, entrepreneurs and experts in the agricultural sector.

Kontakta sarah.fitz-koch@ju.se———–