“Making farms work for women,” new Mayo initiative launched to support women in farming
Family-focused event in Ballina marks the official launch of a three-year pilot project aimed at making farming more inclusive for women
A new initiative designed to support women in agriculture through practical solutions, skills development and confidence-building has been officially launched in North Mayo.
The launch of Making Farms Work for Women took place on Sunday, June 7 at the Kennedy Glasgow Centre in Ballina, bringing together farmers, families, project participants, local supporters and invited guests to celebrate the beginning of the three-year pilot programme.
The project will work alongside 60 women farmers across North Mayo, helping to address many of the everyday challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector.
Guests at the launch heard from Project Lead Claire Brennan, MEP Maria Walsh, Councillor Sean Carey and members of the project team, all of whom highlighted the importance of creating a farming environment that works equally well for women.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, congratulated the group behind the initiative and praised its community-led approach.
“It’s great to see this farmer-led project bringing people together to explore practical solutions to the challenges faced by women farmers,” he said.
“Projects such as this invite everyone to explore what can be done to create an inclusive agricultural sector that provides equal opportunities for women and young girls. I’m confident that this innovative EIP project will have positive outcomes into the future, not just for women farmers, but for the wider community in Mayo and beyond.”
The launch event featured tea, coffee, home baking, face painting, children’s activities and a life-size cow provided by Mayo College. Organisers said the atmosphere reflected the project’s wider goal of encouraging participation, inclusion and inspiring the next generation of women in farming.
Funded through the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the initiative was developed in response to barriers that many women continue to face in agriculture.
These include tools and machinery often designed for larger frames, the physical demands of livestock handling, balancing farm responsibilities with family life, and a lack of confidence stemming from limited representation within the sector.
Over the next three years, participants will benefit from farm visits, practical workshops and hands-on training focused on improving access to suitable equipment, building confidence in livestock management and identifying practical changes that can make farm life safer, more efficient and more inclusive.
Speaking at the launch, Claire Brennan said the project was rooted in the experiences of local women farmers.
“This was a really special day for everyone involved in Making Farms Work for Women,” she said. “This initiative has grown from real conversations with women in farming here in North Mayo and from a clear need for practical solutions that make farm life more manageable, more inclusive and more sustainable. We also hope it will help inspire more young women and girls to see farming as something they can be part of and thrive in.”
Organisers say the strong turnout and community support shown at the launch demonstrates the demand for positive change and a more inclusive future for farming in Mayo.