Irish Farmer Wins Major European Farm Women’s Award

Ann Moore, a dairy farmer and IFA member from Ballyspillane in Co Cork, has today been presented with the highly regarded COPA’s European “Innovation Prize for Women Farmers” award.

Ann’s energy and commitment to the family farm are immense. In 1998 herself and her husband David were milking 28 cows and building up the dairy herd when unfortunately David became ill with multiple sclerosis. The farm business could have come to a standstill however Ann persevered and today she milks just under 200 cows on 300 adjusted acres.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Brussels presented by EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, IFA President John Bryan warmly congratulated Ann Moore on her fantastic achievement. He said “she is a great ambassador for Irish women’s substantial contribution to farming and farm business. I am thrilled that the IFA Farm Family Committee chaired by Margaret Healy was able to facilitate Ann’s entrance into COPA’s “Innovation Prize for Women Farmers’” competition building on Ireland’s national event run by the Irish Farmers’ Journal and kindly sponsored by FBD insurance.”

The worthy winner said “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to have been presented with this award from Commissioner Ciolos and feel it is a great recognition for all the hard work women have contributed to agriculture through the ages.”

Mairead Lavery Editor of Irish Country Living magazine said “we’re absolutely delighted that Ann Moore has won this major award. As a representative of Irish farm women, Ann epitomises the qualities of innovation, resilience and hard work that is characteristic of Irish farm women. The Irish Farmers’ Journal is very proud to have instigated the Irish selection process in conjunction with the Irish Farmers’ Association and support from FBD.”

Conor Gouldson, FBD said  “we are delighted in FBD for Ann and for her family for this recognition by COPA of her on-farm innovation.  It is an extraordinary achievement and testament to the very high standards present in Irish agricultural practice today.”