Young Laois woman farmer aims to help women take the reins of farms

A young Camross woman who is among a select group of the next generation of Irish farmers to be nurtured as farming leaders, aims to work to help women farmers take ownership of their family farms. 

Michelle Lalor is one of 30 participants selected for IFA’s ‘Ready to Lead’ Programme for 2025. The programme, which received over 80 applications, aims to develop young farmers as IFA leaders by equipping participants with insights into agricultural policy and lobbying at home and in Europe.

The IFA says Ms Lalor was chosen from a highly competitive field, reflecting their strong leadership potential and dedication to the business of agriculture.

“I am delighted to have been chosen for this programme. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded farmers and to better understand how decisions affecting Irish farmers are made at national and EU levels,” said Ms Lalor.

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, she spoke about her farming background.

"I grew up farming. I am a dairy farmer in Camross in partnership with my father and home and work on a dairy farm in Mountrath. I went to Gurteen College and started working in Mountrath seven years ago and then got into dairy farming myself. I love farming and wouldn't last in an office. I need to be outside," she said.

She was encouraged to go forward for the programme by local IFA leaders Henry Burns and Pat Hennessy. She got involved because of what the programme aims to achieve.

"It aims to get more young people into the IFA. There are not enough young people in the association," she said.

She is looking forward to learning what the IFA does and how it goes about representing farmers. She will be asked to put her training to use on completion of the programme as Ms Lalor will then join the IFA national committee for two years.

When she gets to contribute to the work IFA she hopes to work to get more young people into farming and is especially keen to advance the place of women in agriculture. 

Ms Lalor says that while women are 'the backbone' of farming she says that there were just four girls in a class of 80 when she attended Gurteen. Three of the women have stayed in some aspect of farming.

The Camross IFA branch secretary said a change the traditional mindset about farm ownership is needed to help women enter farming through their families.  She said it is 'sad' that farms end up sold because it is still not felt that women should inherit farms to run.

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Ms Lalor, who is also Chairperson of the Laois Macra Agricultural Affairs committee,  said that she is lucky in her family situation and agreed that this attitude toward women farming must change.

"It is hard enough to keep people in farming as it is. The reality is that if (women) know for definite that they are not going to inherit a farm they are not going to waste their time working on the farm," she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

IFA President and Laois man Francie Gorman congratulated all participants and said the strength of Irish farming depends on fresh leadership and strong representation.

“The selection process was extremely competitive, but all candidates selected have shown real promise. We are confident they will make a meaningful contribution to IFA and the wider farming sector,” he said.

John Cahalan, FBD’s Chief Commercial Officer, underscored the significance of investing in future leaders, saying, “This programme is aimed at dynamic emerging leaders — an investment not only in their future, but in the future of Ireland’s farming sector. At FBD Insurance, we are proud to support this important initiative and wish the participants every success as they begin the programme”.

The national ‘Ready to Lead 2025’ programme will occur over three two-day modules throughout the year. It will feature sessions with industry experts, political engagement in Dublin, and a study tour to Brussels where the IFA Brussels Office will host them. Each of the successful applicants will also be co-opted to an IFA National Committee. 

The programme will officially commence on April 30 at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin.

The ‘Ready to Lead 2025’ programme is fully funded by IFA, FBD Insurance, and Farm Business Skillnet, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering the future leaders of IFA and Irish agriculture.