Ebony Wilson didn’t grow up in dairy farming; her journey began when she met her husband, Tom, a third-generation dairy farmer from a well-known local family. Tom’s family farm, however, didn’t have room for him to join, so Ebony and Tom are making their own way in the industry. Despite the challenges, Ebony’s passion has only deepened, turning what started as an unexpected path into a calling.

“When I first got involved, it wasn’t just a job. It was a lifestyle, a passion,” Ebony reflects. “I’ve been doing this for over a decade now, and it still feels like there’s always something new to learn. I love my cows—they’re everything to me. ”For Ebony and other young women in dairy, technology is more than just a convenience; it’s a way to improve the farm and future-proof their operations. Though her current farm doesn’t have the latest tools, Ebony’s admiration for tech-driven solutions is unmistakable. She speaks with enthusiasm about the radio frequency identification devices (RFID) used for cow health monitoring, heat detection, automatic drafting, and apps that help with breeding.

“Even though we don’t use a lot of the new tech on the farm, I’m fascinated by it,” she says. “The RFID collar system, for example - allows you to see exactly what’s going on with the cows, even when you’re not there. It’s amazing to know you’ll have the right information when you wake up for morning milking.”

The DataGene Good Bulls app has also become a cornerstone in her work, allowing her to select bulls based on specific traits, a tool that helps farmers match breeding choices to herd needs. “I was looking for something to help me keep track of my heifers and came across the app,” she laughs. “Now, I can pick the best bulls to improve specific traits —it’s like designing the perfect herd!”

For Ebony and Tom, the dream of having their own farm is as strong as ever. But the road to that dream is challenging, especially with the high cost of land and limited leasing opportunities. Tom has been working as a contractor on other farms, while Ebony has been building her own small herd, one calf at a time.

“We’re always on the hunt for leasing opportunities, but it’s tough,” Ebony says. “Tom and I, we work so hard, and we know we’d make a great team if we had our own place. Until then, we’re just putting everything we have into building our future, cow by cow.”

Ebony sees more young women getting involved in dairy than ever before, and she feels proud to be part of this shift. “There’s an old-fashioned mentality that maybe girls shouldn’t be here, but times are changing. I see more women in the industry than men sometimes, and it’s great to see the girls getting involved.”

Her story is one of grit and vision, with women at the forefront of advancing dairy. Alongside friends and workmates like Kate Bourke and Charley Heyblok, Ebony is creating her own path, one that combines tradition with modern technology. These young women aren’t just tending cows; they’re learning the genetics, the data, and the intricacies that shape a thriving herd.

“If I had the chance, I’d love to invest in genetic technology, embryo transfers, and those types of innovations,” she says with a smile. “To think we can design a herd that’s perfect for our environment—it’s just incredible. And that’s where I see the future of dairy.”

The challenges of high land costs and limited access are real, but Ebony’s optimism shines through. She hopes that new partnerships with milk companies, supermarkets or local initiatives will help young farmers like her and Tom.

Jamie Hamilton, her current boss, is exploring ways to engage milk companies in investing in farmland so young farmers can lease it.

“We have a lot of people supporting us,” Ebony shares. “It’s not an easy path, but we’re part of a community that wants us to succeed. That’s what keeps us going.”

With every calf and every advancement in technology, Ebony and her peers are redefining dairy farming. This new generation of women, driven by resilience, passion, and a love for technology, is shaping the future of the industry—one farm, one herd, and one new idea at a time.