Women are central to Irish agriculture as farmers, partners, successors, innovators and leaders, yet remain underrepresented, with only 13.4% of farm holders in Ireland being women. Teagasc is committed to supporting women in agriculture through practical supports, visibility initiatives, research, education, and networking opportunities. This page brings together supports, initiatives, events, and resources for women in farming and those who support them.
The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The Year spotlights the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, and raises awareness to promote actions to close the gender gap and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.
Key focus areas
Pathways into farming
Access to land, succession, inheritance and entry routes into agriculture remain key barriers and opportunities.
Supports include:
- Succession and inheritance advice
- Farm partnership guidance
- Support for collaborative farming models
- Signposting to legal and tax advice
Recognition and visibility
Women’s contribution to farming is often under-recognised.
Initiatives include:
- Case studies and profiling of women farmers
- National Women in Agriculture Action Plan
- Women in Farming discussion groupsTeagasc has established a number of all women discussion groups in locations spanning from Meath through to Cork. These groups offer women the opportunity to come together to share their experiences of farming and to learn. On this episode of the Environment Edge, Kate Curran, a dairy farmer from Co. Waterford, and Sandra Hayes, Teagasc Tirlán Future Farm Programme Co-ordinator, join Cathal Somers and Deirdre Glynn to discuss the reasons why these discussion groups were formed and what benefits they can bring.
Listen in to the podcast episode:
Farm business and finance
Practical supports for running and growing a farm business.
Supports include:
- Business planning and financial management
- Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme
- Scheme support (BISS, ACRES, TAMS, Etc.)
Sustainable farming
Women are leaders in environmental innovation and climate action.
Supports include:
- ACRES advisory support
- Climate-smart and biodiversity practices
- Demonstration farms and knowledge transfer programmes
Diversification
Supporting income resilience and rural enterprise growth.
Opportunities include:
Education and digital tools
Building skills for modern farming systems.
Supports include:
- Teagasc education programmes and adult learning
- Farm management and digital tools
- Precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making
Health, wellbeing and work-life balance
Recognising the lived realities of women in agriculture.
Focus areas:
- Farm safety and wellbeing supports
- Managing workload and care responsibilities
- Rural isolation and mental health awareness
- Practical tools for balancing farm and family life
Networks and peer support
Connection builds confidence and knowledge.
Networks include:
- Local Women in Farming discussion groups
- Peer learning and mentoring opportunities
- Workshops and events
Representation and policy influence
Supporting stronger female participation in decision-making.
Focus includes:
- Participation in farm organisations and co-operatives
- Representation on boards and advisory groups
- Engagement in policy consultations
- Leadership pathways for women in agriculture