'A great day for female farmers': Cork organic beef farmer named best in Europe

Kay O’Sullivan also writes a monthly column for the Irish Examiner’s Signpost series

Kay O’Sullivan runs Glynn Organic Farm, a 63-hectare cattle and sheep enterprise in north Cork that has been certified organic for more than 16 years. Picture: Chani Anderson

Cork farmer Kay O’Sullivan has been named Best Organic Beef Farmer at the 2026 EU Organic Awards in Brussels.

Ms O’Sullivan runs Glynn Organic Farm, a 63-hectare cattle and sheep enterprise in north Cork that has been certified organic for more than 16 years. She also writes a monthly column for the Irish Examiner’s Signpost series.

Her grass-based suckler-to-beef system uses multispecies swards and weekly grass measurement to improve productivity while reducing reliance on external feed inputs and cutting emissions.

Ms O’Sullivan regularly welcomes visitors to the farm in Mourneabbey and has hosted national beef farming events, international visitors, study groups and open days. In her Signpost column, she writes about how organic farms can remain productive while delivering environmental benefits.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after the award, she said it was “a great day for the Irish organic sector and for female farmers”.

It is not her first recognition: she previously won the Organic Production category at the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards.

The EU Organic Awards are organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, Copa-Cogeca and IFOAM Organics Europe.

Speaking at the ceremony, European agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen said he regularly met farmers and entrepreneurs who were “proving every day that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand”.

“The EU Organic Awards celebrate the people who are helping shape the future of European agriculture,” he said.

He said the development of the organic sector could contribute to stronger rural areas, healthier ecosystems, greater consumer confidence and a more resilient food system.

“These winners are not only being recognised for their achievements. They are showing what is possible when ambition, innovation and dedication come together,” he added.

Copa vice-president Søren Søndergaard said each winner offered an example of how organic farming could respond to the challenges facing European agriculture.

He said:

Their achievements are particularly meaningful at a time when farmers are having to navigate increasingly difficult market conditions, climate pressures and a rapidly changing policy environment.

He added that organic farmers needed the tools, market opportunities and regulatory certainty to remain competitive. Irish Farmers’ Association Organic Project Team chair John Fitzpatrick was among those to congratulate Ms O’Sullivan.

“Kay O’Sullivan’s achievement showcases the best of productive organic farming in Ireland,” he said, describing her as a leader in the sector.

Mr Fitzpatrick said ambassadors such as Ms O’Sullivan were particularly important as the Irish organic sector sought to develop more markets for its produce. More than 5,600 farmers are now farming organically in Ireland. 

The sector accounts for 5.6% of the national land area, according to figures supplied with the award announcement. The National Organic Strategy 2024–2030 and the Climate Action Plan set a target of increasing the area of agricultural land farmed organically to 10% by 2030.