By Katie Gleeson

@katieinthecountry
Dairy farmer and DWI Steering Committee Member

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from farming, it’s that while we might lead busy lives, Dairy farming has always been about community. We know that our sector works best when people pull together. But for many women on farms, where we live with one foot in the farmhouse and the other in the farmyard, that sense of community hasn’t been as defined and that’s where Dairy Women Ireland comes in.

Founded in 2021, DWI gives women in dairy a dedicated space to meet, learn and grow together. From grassroots gatherings, it has quickly become a strong national network that empowers, educates and connects women across our sector.

Here in North Munster, we’ve seen the impact first-hand. Over the past year, our members have come together for Grass Walks, Agri-Finance workshops, discussions on hedgerows and biodiversity, alongside sessions on farm relationships and family dynamics and monthly Zoom webinars. We’ve also enjoyed family-friendly days like our recent summer visit to the Apple Farm in Cahir. What strikes me most at these events is the relief on people’s faces when they realise they’re not on their own. I remember chatting to a woman at a grass walk, who said it was the first time she’d ever stood in a field with other women talking about cows. That really stuck with me. It’s about confidence, and about knowing there’s a network out there that “gets” the ups and downs of dairy life.

Up until now, DWI has survived on member subscriptions and the goodwill of sponsors. But thanks to a new partnership model, with the main dairy processors including Centenary Thurles, we now have sustainable funding to grow. Each co-op contributes €2 per supplier annually, a small figure, but one that makes a huge difference in allowing us to reach more women.

At the Moorepark Dairy Open Day this summer, Centenary’s John Martin stood alongside other co-op representatives with our current president Dr. Mary Kinston as the model was launched. As a steering committee member, and a Centenary dairy supplier myself, I’ve seen first-hand how important that visible support has been. It sends a clear message that women in dairy are valued, not just as helpers on the farm, but as farmers, decision-makers, and leaders in their own right.

Looking ahead, this autumn DWI is partnering with WASG, Teagasc and DAFM on a Women in Agriculture webinar series, covering practical topics like financial supports, taxation, succession, and social protection. And our biggest event of the year is the Annual DWI Conference in Charleville at the end of November for a full day packed with inspiring speakers, breakout sessions, and afterwards an evening of festive glitz with dinner and a fashion show.

If you’re a woman in any aspect of dairy, you are welcome to join our vibrant community. And if you’re a husband, partner, family member or employer, why not support the woman on your farm by gifting her a membership? It’s an investment not just in her, but in the strength of the entire dairy sector.

Find out more at www.dairywomenireland.ie and follow us on social media @dairywomenireland to keep up to date with our latest news and updates.