Agriland editor to participate in event celebrating Irish women's role in agriculture
The European Commission Representation in Ireland will host a discussion on Women Step into Farming next Tuesday (March 4) in Dublin to celebrate the contribution Irish women make to agriculture and farming.
Agriland editor, Stella Meehan, will moderate a discussion at the event which is scheduled to be opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.
The panel will include:
- Ailbhe Gerrard, Farmer, Brookfield Farm, ACORNS community member;
- Dr Anne-Marie Butler, head of education programme, TEAGASC;
- Karen McCabe, farmer and columnist, Irish Farmers Journal;
- Dr Maura Farrell, lead co-ordinator, EU Horizon Europe FLIARA.
The commission said that the panel will provide an opportunity for farmers, experts and policy makers to debate and exchange views and innovative ideas on women’s crucial role in the Irish farming sector.
According to Minister Heydon: “Women have always played a vital role in shaping farms across generations of farming families, yet their contributions have too often gone unrecognised.
Our goal is to increase the representation of women as farm holders and key decision-makers in agriculture and develop a more inclusive and equitable future for the sector.”
The European Commission Representation in Ireland is also currently running an information campaign, Women step into farming with videos on social media. It aims to inspire more women to pursue careers in agriculture, while also promoting a more "sustainable and innovative approach to farming".
Dr Maura Farrell, lead co-oordinator, EU Horizon Europe, FLIARA, said: "Empowering women in agriculture is essential to building a sustainable and inclusive future for farming.
"On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of Irish women in shaping the agricultural landscape and highlight the importance of their leadership in driving innovation and growth in the sector."
The information campaign showcases the experiences and perspectives of three Irish women farmers, including Sophie Bell, Hannah Quinn Mulligan, and Teresa Roche.
The videos highlight the essential role that women play in shaping the future of agriculture.
In the videos they discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes in implementing sustainable practices, adopting innovative technologies, and promoting generational renewal in the farming sector.
The campaign is part of broader efforts by the European Commission to support the development of a more "equal, resilient, and forward-looking agricultural sector".
Attracting more women to the farming profession is one of the key objectives set out in the the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, published earlier this month.
Peter Power, head of the European Commission Representation in Dublin believes that women in agriculture have been "neglected for too long".
"Through Women Step into Farming, we hope to inspire a new generation of women to step into farming and drive positive change in agriculture," he said.
