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Women in Agriculture

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.

Growing Voices – Women in Farming

Growing Voices – Women in Farming was held on 15 October 2026 at Tullamore Court Hotel, Co. Offaly, as part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The event brought together farmers, advisors, researchers, students, farm families and industry representatives for a day of knowledge sharing, practical learning and networking. The programme explored pathways into farming, practical supports, leadership, succession, diversification and opportunities for women across Irish agriculture. Through keynote presentations, farmer panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions, participants shared experiences, explored challenges and gained practical insights to support their farming journeys and businesses.

Resources

View presentations and resources from the day

Empowering the voice of the Female farmer
Sophie Bell, Full-time Farmer & Content Creator

International Policy: Supporting Women Farmers
Dr Erika Valério, Gender and Agrifood Expert, FAO

Interactive Breakout Sessions:
Succession, Inheritance & Collaborative Farming – Ruth Fennell & James McDonnell
Supports & Schemes for Women Farmers – Séamus Nolan
Diversification & New Income Opportunities – Barry Caslin
Farm Finance, Tax & Legal – Klara McGriskin & Hugh MacEneaney

Read more, from the EU Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS): AKIS to strengthen the position of women in rural areas and farming

Follow @Teagasc on social media for videos, highlights and updates from the day.

Key focus areas

Pathways into farming

Access to land, succession, inheritance and entry routes into agriculture remain key barriers and opportunities.
Supports include:

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:

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

Research

Explore some of the research taking place.

  • HER-SELF | Highlighting the need to remove barriers for women in agriculture
  • EU FLIARA Project | Aims to create a European wide rural innovation ecosystem, which supports women-led innovative practices in farming and rural areas
  • GENFARMS | Gender and Generational Factors in Agricultural Resource Management for Sustainability

Get Involved

Whether you are starting out, already farming, or supporting others in agriculture.

EU Women in Farming Platform

The European Commission invites all individuals residing in the EU and working in agriculture or in an agriculture-related field to express their interest in becoming members of the Women in Farming Platform. Members will have the opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences and insights, and exchange best practices at national and EU levels.

The Platform will serve as a space for dialogue, learning and cooperation. Learn more about the Women in Farming Platform.