Event celebrates women’s contribution to Irish agriculture
Speakers at the Growing Voices: Women in Farming event were Sophie Bell, full-time farmer and content creator; Dr Erika Valério, gender and agrifood expert with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; and Carina Roseingrave, International Year of the Woman Farmer Ambassador 2026. Picture: Jeff Harvey
As part of the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, Teagasc hosted an event celebrating the contribution of women to Irish agriculture.
The event, ‘Growing Voices: Women in Farming,’ was a national event celebrating women's contribution to the sector and exploring opportunities to support women at every stage of their farming journey.
The conference brought together female farmers, farm families, students, new entrants, advisers, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for a day of knowledge-sharing, practical learning and networking.
The conference explored pathways into farming, succession, farm business development, diversification, and the supports available to women in farming. Participants heard from leading voices in agriculture and took part in interactive sessions addressing issues affecting farm businesses.
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The event also marked the launch of Teagasc’s new diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to supporting a more inclusive agricultural sector.
Attendees heard contributions from full-time farmer and content creator Sophie Bell, who spoke about empowering the voice of the female farmer, and gender and agrifood expert with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Dr Erika Valério, who discussed international policy and support for women farmers.
A panel discussion on getting into farming and making it work featured beef farmer Teleri Thomas, farm family members Kate Curran and John Fitzgerald, and dairy farmer Vanessa Kiely O’Connor. A second panel explored opportunities for women beyond the farm gate, with contributions from Teagasc adviser Charlie Devaney, Ciara Stanley of Coppenagh House Farm, and Marion Roeleveld of Killeen Farmhouse Cheese.
The conference also featured an interview with Carina Roseingrave, International Year of the Woman Farmer Ambassador 2026, who shared insights on the role and spoke about the many contributions of women in agriculture.
Interactive breakout sessions allowed participants to explore areas such as succession, inheritance and collaborative farming; supports and schemes for women farmers; diversification and new income opportunities; and farm finance, tax and legal matters.
Speaking at the event, Teagasc director of knowledge transfer Stan Lalor said: “This Growing Voices event is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the many women who are making a valuable contribution to farm families, farm businesses and the wider agricultural sector. These contributions have not always received the recognition they deserve.
"The event was also set up to be practical, providing women who are farming today, as well as those considering a future in farming, with information, ideas and connections that can help them develop successful farming enterprises and businesses.
"This is very much aligned with Teagasc’s wider ambition to support an attractive and inclusive farming sector that provides support and opportunities for everyone.”
Resources and presentations from the event are available on teagasc.ie.
