Applications are coming in fast for our 2015 FBD Women & Agriculture awards. If you’re unsure about sending in an application, don’t worry, you still have some time and entering could be well be worth it, especially when you consider the opportunities it brought previous winner Ann Moore from Ballyspillane, Co Cork.

Ann and her family faced considerable challenges when her husband David was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, the farm had to keep going and Ann wasn’t only responsible for much of the running of the farm, she also successfully expanded it, inspiring David to put her name forward as an entrant in 2011.

Ann says: “I never thought anything would come of it. It wasn’t until I had the trophy in my arms that I realised I had won. It was a complete shock.”

When Irish Country Living and the IFA said they were sending the entries to Copa Women’s Committee in Brussels for the innovation prize for women farmers, Ann says she didn’t give it a second thought.

“The thought of winning a European prize when up against 200 women didn’t seem realistic. But when I got the call that I had won, I was literally stuck for words. Our day in Brussels was like a fairytale and the whole experience was amazing.”

Ann’s ambition and positivity is infectious. Whether it’s milking or showing visitors around her farm, Ann is proud to showcase what she has achieved as a farmer and winning the competition has opened many doors for her. Now an avid member of the IFA, she says the award also gave her the confidence boost to become a regional Dairygold committee member.

“When you are used to being at home farming full-time, it’s completely out of your comfort zone to be thrown into the public eye. I had never dealt with anything like the awards before, but it was thoroughly enjoyable.”

However, Ann’s commitment still continues to be the farm. Abolishing milk quotas has favoured the dairy farmer, who says her cross-bred herd has never reached their full potential.

“We recently started back into milking twice a day, which means expansion is being considered.”

Although Ann’s children are now grown up, she is busier than ever. After studying for two years at Clonakilty Agricultural College, their son, Bryan, has recently returned to work on the family farm as part of a partnership.

“Bryan was farming in New Zealand for five months and he gained vital knowledge and experience which can help us in expanding and improving the herd.”

An immensely proud mother, Ann also has a daughter, Joanne, who is currently studying nursing at Waterford IT.

Ann urges Irish women who are married to farmers to get involved in the family farm or business.

“A problem shared, makes decisions easier. Women shouldn’t be afraid to get involved in the running of the farm and starting new business ideas.” CL