Over 200 women from different farming enterprises attended the 2023 Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Women in Agriculture conference on Thursday, 19 October.
Taking place at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus, attendees had an informative speaker session in the morning followed by a practical afternoon on the college dairy farm.
Background
The Women in Agriculture conference was established by the the Ulster Farmers’ Union in 2019. The idea was to have an event in Ulster that brought together women who were working across different agricultural enterprises. Denise Kelso, Ulster Farmers’ Union rural affairs chairperson, said they were inspired by the annual Women & Agriculture conference organised by Irish Country Living in the republic.
Heather Stewart, Ulster Farmers’ Union events manager said: “The most important thing is bringing women together, there are a lot of women out working on farms who can often feel alone doing that.
Ulster Farmers' Union Women In Agriculture Conference. Photo Credit: Ulster Farmers' Union
“It’s good to get them together and have a chat and let them make connections, in one room for one day, and recognise the contribution they have on family farms.”
Morning speakers
The morning session of the conference included a presentation from Abi Reader, deputy president of the National Farmers’ Union in Wales. She highlighted the importance of making women feel welcome and involved as it can be intimidating working within a largely male-dominated sector.
“As I was looking out onto the sea of women in the room, there were a few scattered gents who were looking a bit uncomfortable – feeling a bit out of place – and wondering if people were going to talk to them.
“If you flip that on its head, a lot of the time that’s the problem in reverse. A lot of women who sit in a room [dominated by men] feel overwhelmed. Women need to remember: no one is sitting in the room thinking you shouldn’t be here. Men need to remember: if you see someone there, make an effort to make them feel welcome and break down those barriers.”
Other talks included an overview of the Farm Families Health Checks programme, which offers a means for farmers and their families to access health checks from a portable clinic and from local community settings. Another engaging presentation was entitled ‘the top five legal and financial tips every farming woman should know’.
The practical session at this years Women in Agriculture conference. Photo Credit: Ulster Farmers' Union.
Practical on-farm element
In the afternoon, attendees were brought onto the CAFRE college dairy farm for a practical learning experience.
Groups moved around to five workshops, where presentations were given on grassland management, ammonia, basic principles of young stock care, machinery safety and new technologies being used in agriculture. This was a new, hands-on element to this year’s conference. This was an important addition for the rural affairs committee, as they wanted to provide an immersive learning experience.
“We wanted this to be all about practical demonstrations,” Denise explained. “For the farming ladies to get knowledge and bring home some practical learnings and to ensure everyone attending got something out of it. I hope it gives them confidence and self-worth.”
The importance of the conference theme Farming Together for the Future was to encourage young people to get involved in the industry and to instil a sense of confidence in women; to show them they belong in agriculture.
“It’s important to give people a sense of self-worth and encourage them to put themselves forward. We have never had a female president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, which is why we brought Abi over, she is deputy president in Wales,” said Denise.
Also according to Denise, one of the main things holding women in agriculture back is the lack of confidence in themselves.
“It’s that imposter syndrome,” she said. “For years, I was an insurance agent and I sat around many farmhouse tables. Quite often, the wife at the table would always say she was ‘just the housewife’ if we asked them their occupation – [but] that lady was the one who did the books, looked after the family and fed the calves. She just didn’t value herself.”
Basic principles of Young Stock Care demonstration at the Women in Agriculture Conference.
Take home messages
“My takeaway message from today is no matter what comes our way as women within the farming industry, we are eager to find solutions to support the development of a sustainable and profitable industry that delivers for the environment and consumers. Grab all opportunities that come along with us and always remember your worth,” said Denise.
For more information check out visit: https://www.ufuni.org/
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Over 200 women from different farming enterprises attended the 2023 Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Women in Agriculture conference on Thursday, 19 October.
Taking place at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus, attendees had an informative speaker session in the morning followed by a practical afternoon on the college dairy farm.
Background
The Women in Agriculture conference was established by the the Ulster Farmers’ Union in 2019. The idea was to have an event in Ulster that brought together women who were working across different agricultural enterprises. Denise Kelso, Ulster Farmers’ Union rural affairs chairperson, said they were inspired by the annual Women & Agriculture conference organised by Irish Country Living in the republic.
Heather Stewart, Ulster Farmers’ Union events manager said: “The most important thing is bringing women together, there are a lot of women out working on farms who can often feel alone doing that.
Ulster Farmers' Union Women In Agriculture Conference. Photo Credit: Ulster Farmers' Union
“It’s good to get them together and have a chat and let them make connections, in one room for one day, and recognise the contribution they have on family farms.”
Morning speakers
The morning session of the conference included a presentation from Abi Reader, deputy president of the National Farmers’ Union in Wales. She highlighted the importance of making women feel welcome and involved as it can be intimidating working within a largely male-dominated sector.
“As I was looking out onto the sea of women in the room, there were a few scattered gents who were looking a bit uncomfortable – feeling a bit out of place – and wondering if people were going to talk to them.
“If you flip that on its head, a lot of the time that’s the problem in reverse. A lot of women who sit in a room [dominated by men] feel overwhelmed. Women need to remember: no one is sitting in the room thinking you shouldn’t be here. Men need to remember: if you see someone there, make an effort to make them feel welcome and break down those barriers.”
Other talks included an overview of the Farm Families Health Checks programme, which offers a means for farmers and their families to access health checks from a portable clinic and from local community settings. Another engaging presentation was entitled ‘the top five legal and financial tips every farming woman should know’.
The practical session at this years Women in Agriculture conference. Photo Credit: Ulster Farmers' Union.
Practical on-farm element
In the afternoon, attendees were brought onto the CAFRE college dairy farm for a practical learning experience.
Groups moved around to five workshops, where presentations were given on grassland management, ammonia, basic principles of young stock care, machinery safety and new technologies being used in agriculture. This was a new, hands-on element to this year’s conference. This was an important addition for the rural affairs committee, as they wanted to provide an immersive learning experience.
“We wanted this to be all about practical demonstrations,” Denise explained. “For the farming ladies to get knowledge and bring home some practical learnings and to ensure everyone attending got something out of it. I hope it gives them confidence and self-worth.”
The importance of the conference theme Farming Together for the Future was to encourage young people to get involved in the industry and to instil a sense of confidence in women; to show them they belong in agriculture.
“It’s important to give people a sense of self-worth and encourage them to put themselves forward. We have never had a female president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, which is why we brought Abi over, she is deputy president in Wales,” said Denise.
Also according to Denise, one of the main things holding women in agriculture back is the lack of confidence in themselves.
“It’s that imposter syndrome,” she said. “For years, I was an insurance agent and I sat around many farmhouse tables. Quite often, the wife at the table would always say she was ‘just the housewife’ if we asked them their occupation – [but] that lady was the one who did the books, looked after the family and fed the calves. She just didn’t value herself.”
Basic principles of Young Stock Care demonstration at the Women in Agriculture Conference.
Take home messages
“My takeaway message from today is no matter what comes our way as women within the farming industry, we are eager to find solutions to support the development of a sustainable and profitable industry that delivers for the environment and consumers. Grab all opportunities that come along with us and always remember your worth,” said Denise.
For more information check out visit: https://www.ufuni.org/
Read more
Agri Careers: employment struggle for recent graduates
Freediver Claire Walsh: Diving into the unknown
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