Just 49% of farming women feel confident about the future of their farms, a survey published by Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union has found.
Concerns listed by survey participants included the impact of Brexit and balancing farm administration with day-to-day tasks.
Over 200 farm women took part in the survey, which has been published in advance of a west Cork women and farming event this Thursday.
The survey also found that 61% felt that financial pressure is the biggest stressor when running a farm, while 58% said that achieving a good work/life balance was difficult given increased administration and paperwork on farms.
A woman’s role on the farm was not recognised
On a more positive note, the survey showed that 58% participants would like to see their children take over the farm business, and 92% said that they felt farming was a good way of life.
“For many years a woman’s role on the farm was not recognised,” Donal O’Driscoll, CEO, Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union said.
“But today things are very different with countless women very successfully running farms and making huge strides in new farming techniques while others may be balancing their own careers and dealing with the ever increasing paperwork which running a farm can bring.”
Event
The event will take place on Thursday 25 October in the Munster Arms Hotel at 8am. A presentation on farm planning and audits, which will be given by Teagasc’s Gráinne Hurley, while there will also be a special mental health focus with a talk from Mental Health’s Ireland Finola Colgan.
There will also be a discussion on succession planning and securing the future of the farm business, from solicitor Albert Wolfe.
Read more
Hurleys, heifers and hard work
Drop in number of female farmers
Just 49% of farming women feel confident about the future of their farms, a survey published by Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union has found.
Concerns listed by survey participants included the impact of Brexit and balancing farm administration with day-to-day tasks.
Over 200 farm women took part in the survey, which has been published in advance of a west Cork women and farming event this Thursday.
The survey also found that 61% felt that financial pressure is the biggest stressor when running a farm, while 58% said that achieving a good work/life balance was difficult given increased administration and paperwork on farms.
A woman’s role on the farm was not recognised
On a more positive note, the survey showed that 58% participants would like to see their children take over the farm business, and 92% said that they felt farming was a good way of life.
“For many years a woman’s role on the farm was not recognised,” Donal O’Driscoll, CEO, Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union said.
“But today things are very different with countless women very successfully running farms and making huge strides in new farming techniques while others may be balancing their own careers and dealing with the ever increasing paperwork which running a farm can bring.”
Event
The event will take place on Thursday 25 October in the Munster Arms Hotel at 8am. A presentation on farm planning and audits, which will be given by Teagasc’s Gráinne Hurley, while there will also be a special mental health focus with a talk from Mental Health’s Ireland Finola Colgan.
There will also be a discussion on succession planning and securing the future of the farm business, from solicitor Albert Wolfe.
Read more
Hurleys, heifers and hard work
Drop in number of female farmers
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