Frauen braucht das Land - Erste Staffel

Women entrepreneurs are still underrepresented in rural areas. Traditional role models, a lack of networks, and limited opportunities for development make it particularly difficult to become self-employed in rural areas—especially in male-dominated industries such as agriculture and skilled trades.

Yet they have long been there: women who are breaking new ground with courage, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, actively shaping life in rural areas.

The new NDR documentary series “Frauen braucht das Land” (Women Need the Country) portrays four young female entrepreneurs from northern Germany who talk about their challenges, visions, and successes – and show that starting a business in the countryside is not only possible, but also forward-looking.

A fashion label on Föhr
Sintje Lorenzen is a fashion designer—and she founded her own label not in a big city, but on her home island of Föhr. After years in the big city, she returned and is bringing a breath of fresh air to the island with upcycled vintage fashion. Her goal: sustainable fashion instead of fast fashion. Summer is her busiest time of year – but in her private life, a big change is coming: Sintje is pregnant. Between the store, collections, and moving, the question arises of how to balance her career and motherhood on the island.

Craftsmanship with attitude
Sina Klein is a master roofer—and an exception in her trade. Even as a teenager, she helped out in her father's business. Today, she independently organizes construction sites and promotes more women in the trades. In addition to her work on the roof, she has a second passion: show jumping. This summer is particularly busy for her – major projects, a growing social media channel, and new roles as an ambassador for the trades.

A career change with 300 cows
“Just do it” – that's Hauke Johanna von Salzen's motto. At the beginning of 2023, she and her husband took over a dairy farm near Bremen – including around 300 cows and a huge mountain of debt. Today, she is responsible for health and herd management and organizes everyday life on the farm. With two small children, volunteer work with the rural women's association, and economic pressure, multitasking is part of her daily routine. But Hauke Johanna shows how career changers with passion and organizational talent can actively shape rural life.

Childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian
Anna-Lea Comba is living her childhood dream: as a veterinarian, she cares for around 6,000 cattle in Ammerland, Lower Saxony—together with a colleague, she runs the large animal section of a practice. This is a rarity in a male-dominated industry. In addition to emergencies and on-call duties, she manages family life with three children – usually together with her husband Christian. But he is on tour this summer: as the keyboardist for the band Irie Révoltés, he is playing at numerous festivals. For Anna-Lea, this means even more juggling between work and family.

The series shows how women in rural areas are changing the economy and society—with courage, ideas, and passion. “Frauen braucht das Land” - available in the ARD media library from November 1, 2025. Three episodes, four women, four courageous paths.

A Dokness production commissioned by NDR 2025.