ASA elects first female president

THE first woman to be elected president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) in its 66-year history is Elaine Farrell, a native of Castletownroche.

ASA is the professional body for graduates in all areas of the agriculture and food industry.

A graduate in agricultural science from UCD, Elaine has worked with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) for the past 15 years.

Elaine is currently the IFA Oireachtas liaison executive with responsibility for developing and co-ordinating linkages with all areas of Government and with opposition parties.

She was elected ASA president at the association's annual conference in Galway last weekend.

Elaine said she was honoured to be the first woman president of the ASA. “Fifteen years ago, women professionals in the agri-food sector were somewhat of a rarity,” she said. “The gender balance has changed dramatically during the past decade and the proportion of women involved in the industry continues to increase.”