The event, entitled Women Step into Farming, was organised by the delegation of the European Commission Representation in Ireland in collaboration with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) to mark International Women’s Day 2025. Moderated by Agriland editor Stella Meehan, the event highlighted the achievements of women in the sector while also shedding light on the barriers that persist in achieving gender equality within agriculture.

The event was also part of a broader information campaign launched by the European Commission Representation in Ireland. Titled Women Step into Farming, the campaign features online videos showcasing the experiences of three Irish women farmers—Sophie Bell, Hannah Quinn Mulligan, and Teresa Roche. These videos highlight the essential role that women play in shaping the future of agriculture, their challenges, and successes in implementing sustainable practices, adopting innovative technologies, and promoting generational renewal in the farming sector.

A Panel of Industry Leaders

A key highlight of the event was a dynamic panel discussion featuring prominent women in Irish agriculture, including:

• Ailbhe Gerrard, Brookfield Farm manager and member of the Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups (ACORNS) community;
• Dr. Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education Programme, Teagasc;
• Karen McCabe, Farmer and columnist, Irish Farmers Journal;
• Dr. Maura Farrell, Lead Coordinator, EU Horizon Europe Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas (FLIARA) project.

The discussion explored the challenges women face in agriculture, the successes they have achieved, and what can be done to ensure a more inclusive future in the industry.

Ministerial Support for Women in Farming

The event was opened by Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine in Ireland, Martin Heydon, who shared a personal story about his mother taking over the family farm after the passing of his father in 1986. He used this anecdote to stress the vital role women play in agriculture and reaffirmed the Irish government’s commitment to improving female representation in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Minister Heydon highlighted several government initiatives aimed at supporting women in farming, including the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan, which seeks to enhance female participation in the industry. He also pointed to policies such as the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS, which has witnessed a significant increase in applications, offering grants of up to 60% for capital investments to support female farmers.

The minister further emphasised the importance of increasing female representation as farmholders and key decision-makers in agriculture, aligning with the broader objectives of the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food. He also noted that the European Commission will present a Generational Renewal Strategy later this year to address the barriers faced by young and new entrants to the farming sector.

Insights from the Panel Discussion

During the panel discussion, Dr. Maura Farrell presented findings from the FLIARA project, highlighting that women farmers across Europe exhibit a strong commitment to sustainability. Through case study analysis, she found that women in agriculture are key drivers of environmental innovation and sustainable transitions.

Another key topic was succession planning, with all panellists agreeing that conversations about inheritance need to be normalised to break with traditions that historically favoured male heirs.

Dr. Anne-Marie Butler emphasised the importance of education in changing the narrative around women in agriculture, urging for agricultural careers to be actively promoted to young women at the secondary school level. She noted a positive trend, with female enrolment in agriculture-related courses rising from 12% in 2012 to 26% today.

Karen McCabe underscored the power of social media in raising awareness and promoting visibility for women in agriculture, allowing female farmers to connect, share experiences, and inspire future generations.

Avoiding ‘Pinkwashing’ in Policy Development

Dr. Farrell also raised concerns about ensuring that gender-focused agricultural policies lead to real change rather than tokenistic gestures. “We don’t want policies that are just a nod and a wink to the women in farming. We want something that actually makes a difference,” she stressed.

A Future Built on Inclusion and Innovation

The Women Step into Farming event served as both a celebration of the incredible work already being done by women in agriculture and a call to action for continued progress in gender equality. By supporting initiatives such as FLIARA and ACORNS, and promoting policies that enable women to thrive in the sector, the agricultural industry can move towards a more inclusive and sustainable future in Ireland.

The event concluded with a networking lunch, allowing attendees to continue discussions and forge connections that will further strengthen female representation in Irish farming.

For more information on the by the European Commission Representation in Ireland campaign, visit: https://ireland.representation.ec.europa.eu/strategy-and-priorities/irish-success-stories_en