THE LARGEST annual gathering of farming women takes place tomorrow in Kilkenny where more than 600 of them will gather at the Women and Agricultureconference.
The event is focused on women and their role as farmers or partners in the business but it also provides information on health, finance and parenting with some entertainment as well.
The theme of this year's conference will be Farming – the Next Five Yearsand Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney will officially open the event.
He will set out the challenges and opportunities facing farming families, the recognition of the Single Farm Payment; the end of milk quotas and the ambitious targets of Harvest 2020. Another key speaker will be Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter, who will focus on the growing export food market while Pat Smith, general secretary of the IFA, will give the farmers’ perspective.
Margaret Jeffares, managing director of Good Food Ireland, will speak on two of our biggest indigenous industries, agriculture and tourism, and the opportunities available when they work together.
Another presentation will be given by Peter Ward, former chair of the Bord Bia Taste Council, who will advise on the opportunities to diversify on farms.
The conference, which will take place in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny, has been organised by the Irish Farmers Journaland the National Dairy Council.