Carina Roseingrave has been announced as the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine ambassador for international year of the woman farmer 2026 by Minster for Agriculture, Martin Heydon at an event held last week to mark International Women’s Day.

The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight the important roles women play in agri food systems and to promote gender equality in agriculture, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Carina hails from Clare and runs a mixed farm in partnership with her brother. She is said to be very passionate about farming, nature and instilling a love of the land in the next generation. Carina also previously took part in the Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups (ACORNS) programme which is funded by the Department.

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She credits ACORNS with providing her the knowledge, skills and confidence to expand the farm and grow as a woman farmer and rural female entrepreneur. Carina recently appeared in the documentary film Irish Farmers: A Love Story, where she discussed her personal experience of being a woman farmer in Ireland.

Gender equality

After the announcement, Minister Heydon commented: “I look forward to the year ahead where we hope to increase recognition and promote gender equality in agriculture.

“I would also like to thank all the women who took the time to apply and wish them all every success for the future.

“As ambassador, Carina will represent women in Irish agriculture, promoting existing supports and initiatives, while highlighting issues important to her and other women farmers.

“This role puts women farmers at the heart of our initiatives for International Year of the Woman Farmer, shaping a better future for women in the sector.”

On the day, there was also addresses from the Department’s secretary general, Sinéad McPhillips and former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan who were notably the only women to hold these posts in the 125-year history of the Department.

The day also featured a panel discussion with the five shortlisted ambassador applicants who discussed their own experiences as female farmers. The other four shortlisted applicants included Shannon Porter, Méabh Byrne, Blátnaid Gallagher and Deidre Hynes.

To close the day, Minister Heydon highlighted the important contribution of women to the agri food sector and the need to build a more inclusive sector as Irish agriculture is strongest when everyone’s contribution is valued.