Celebrating women shaping Ireland’s farming future
A landmark Teagasc event honoured the vital role of women in Irish agriculture, highlighting their diverse contributions and future opportunities. Held in Tullamore, the gathering united farmers, experts, and entrepreneurs to share knowledge and foster inclusivity within the sector.
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Teagasc Agricultural News
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⏱️ 2 min read
Today in Tullamore, the Growing Voices: Women in Farming conference took place, spotlighting the invaluable impact women have on Irish agriculture. The national event, part of the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, brought together a vibrant community of female farmers, farm families, students, new entrants, advisors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for a day of insightful discussions, practical workshops, and networking.
The programme addressed key themes such as pathways into farming, succession planning, farm business development, diversification, and available supports tailored for women in the sector. Highlights included inspiring talks from Sophie Bell, a full-time farmer and content creator advocating for women’s voices, and Dr Erika Valério from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, who shared international perspectives on gender and agrifood policies. Panel discussions featured farmers and farm family members exploring entry into farming and opportunities beyond the farm gate, including entrepreneurship in agribusiness.
Teagasc also launched its new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy at the event, underscoring its commitment to fostering a more inclusive agricultural sector. Dr Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer, emphasised the event’s dual purpose: to celebrate women’s achievements and provide practical resources to empower current and future women farmers. Attendees engaged in breakout sessions covering succession, financial and legal matters, diversification, and support schemes, with all presentations accessible via Teagasc’s Women in Agriculture webpage.
The programme addressed key themes such as pathways into farming, succession planning, farm business development, diversification, and available supports tailored for women in the sector. Highlights included inspiring talks from Sophie Bell, a full-time farmer and content creator advocating for women’s voices, and Dr Erika Valério from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, who shared international perspectives on gender and agrifood policies. Panel discussions featured farmers and farm family members exploring entry into farming and opportunities beyond the farm gate, including entrepreneurship in agribusiness.
Teagasc also launched its new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy at the event, underscoring its commitment to fostering a more inclusive agricultural sector. Dr Stan Lalor, Teagasc Director of Knowledge Transfer, emphasised the event’s dual purpose: to celebrate women’s achievements and provide practical resources to empower current and future women farmers. Attendees engaged in breakout sessions covering succession, financial and legal matters, diversification, and support schemes, with all presentations accessible via Teagasc’s Women in Agriculture webpage.
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