A nationwide series of evening events celebrating the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 has been announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD. These events are designed in consultation with the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group (WASG), Dairy Women Ireland (DWI), Macra na Feirme, and the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 Ambassador, Carina Roseingrave.
Minister Heydon stated:
“As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, these collaborative events will examine important issues such as education, finance, and diversification for women in the agri-food sector, while also addressing the important areas of farm health, safety and wellbeing. We are proud to champion these events, which build on our ongoing commitment to gender equality and improving health and safety.”
The overarching theme of these events is farm health, safety, and well-being, with the first event scheduled for National Farm Safety Week 2026. All events will feature a panel discussion focused on physical health, mental resilience, and farm safety, addressing the unique occupational hazards and caregiver pressures faced by women in farming and exploring other important themes such as:
- Education Pathways – Expanding agricultural knowledge and highlighting education options and the rising enrolment of women in agricultural programs,
- Financial Awareness – Providing guidance on planning and managing farm finances and making the best of funding opportunities, and
- Farm Diversification – Exploring how women are successfully introducing new revenue streams to family farm e.g., rural tourism, artisan food production.
Minister Heydon emphasized:
“Vibrant rural communities are crucial to the modern agricultural landscape and depend on giving women equal visibility and opportunity on the land. By highlighting accessible education pathways, financial awareness, farm diversification, and core safety training, we are helping women grow and innovate on the farm. Women’s increased participation and recognition in agriculture is crucial to future economic, environmental, and social sustainability and in promoting generational renewal. I want to thank all involved in putting this series of events together.”
Event dates and locations:
- Thursday, 23 July 2026 – Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
- Thursday, 3 September 2026 –Tullamore, Co. Offaly
- Thursday, 12 November 2026 – Ennis, Co. Clare
Admission is free of charge, but prior registration is required. Registration is now open and full schedules, venue details, and booking links can be accessed at International Year of the Woman Farmer Series | Eventbrite.
Notes
- The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) to recognise the critical contributions of women to global food security, rural economies, and sustainable agricultural practices. It serves as a national platform to address gender inequalities in farming, promote women’s access to land, and expand leadership opportunities within the agri-food sector. Throughout 2026, Ireland will deliver a programme of events and initiatives with the aim of empowering women farmers and ensuring the long-term viability of our rural communities.
- In March, Minister Heydon announced the Department’s International Year of the Woman Farmer Ambassador 2026, at an event held to mark International Women’s Day – Minister Heydon announces International Year of the Woman Farmer Ambassador 2026.
- For more information on Women in Agriculture see the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s webpage Women in Agriculture.
- For more information on International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 see the Food and Agriculture Organisations webpage.
