Co. Clare farmer Carina Roseingrave has said she will "stand up for every Irish woman farmer" during this important year.

Roseingrave spoke to Agriland after she was announced as Ireland's ambassador for International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF).

She is a full-time farmer alongside her brother on a mixed farm enterprise situated at the foothills of the Burren in Crusheen, Co. Clare.

The farm is known as Burren View Farm.

The family-run farm focuses on dairy and suckler cattle, with a pedigree Limousin and Charolais herd.

A flock of free-range hens was introduced in 2023.

Roseingrave was one of five finalists in the competition.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon made the ambassador announcement at an International Women's Day Conference held by his department in Athlone, Co. Westmeath today (Thursday, March 5).

'Great honour'

Roseingrave described it is a "great honour" to be chosen for the role.

She said: "I will stand up for every Irish woman farmer and make sure that this year will be marked and that there will be a movement to make sure every farmer, big or small, will get recognised."

Roseingrave spoke about the confidence and resilience needed as a woman in agriculture.

"I have been farming the family farm with my mam and my brother since my dad passed away in 2002, which has given me a real resilience," she explained.

"That's confidence I have gained over the years, but it's something that as an ambassador, I want to pass on to other women now.

"I do believe there are so many women out there that are still hiding and they just need to find the confidence within themselves to come out and be recognised as farmers."

International Year of the Woman Farmer

2026 has been declared the IYWF by the United Nations (UN).

This year will spotlight the essential roles women play across agri-food systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognised.

The global campaign will also raise awareness and promote actions to close the gender gaps and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.

Key issues women face in agri-food systems include land tenure, financial and technical constraints, and limited access to services and education.

Activities this year will seek to encourage policies and investments that empower women in agri-food and to promote greater synergies among international initiatives supporting women farmers.  

Role of women

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine secretary general, Sinéad McPhillips also spoke to Agriland at the conference in Athlone today.

She said the event had two purposes: to celebrate International Women's Day; and to celebrate this year as the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer.

"From the department's point of view, we see that as a really important opportunity to recognise the role of women in farming in Ireland and internationally," McPhillips said.

"Internationally, we have a strong focus in our development cooperation activities on supporting gender equality, and the really important role that women can play in farming around the world when they're given the proper supports.

"In Ireland, the department has supported a number of initiatives to increase the visibility of women in agriculture, to empower women to have their own voice in agriculture, and to encourage that conversation at the kitchen table - particularly around succession, where woman can play a really important part."