An Irish farmer has reached the final three for a major award recognising best practice in organics across Europe.

Kay O’Sullivan from Mourneabbey in Co. Cork was shortlisted in the best organic farmer (female) category at the European Organic Awards.

The winner will be announced at the European Organic Awards on Wednesday, September 23, in Brussels, hosted by the EU Commission and presented by Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen.

The EU Organic Awards are organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe.

The categories for the awards are:

Best Organic Farmer Female;
Best Organic Farmer Male;
Best organic region/bio-district;
Best organic city;
Best organic food processing small and medium-sized enterprise;
Best organic food retailer;
Best organic restaurant/food service;

Commenting on the event, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said: “I and my department wish Kay the very best of luck in the European Organic Awards.

"Kay’s nomination for this award is wonderful recognition of her fantastic achievements in organic beef and sheep farming, and the expertise that she has developed over 15 years in Co. Cork.”

“It is also an acknowledgement of the strides that we have made in Ireland in promoting women in agriculture, and it is especially positive that this is happening in the Year of the Woman Farmer.

O’Sullivan operates a highly efficient suckler to beef and sheep organic farm in North Cork.

O’Sullivan shows how organic farms can be productive, while delivering for the environment.

The EU Organic Awards is not O’Sullivan's first time being recognised having won the Organic Production category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards in 2025.

O’Sullivan’s farm has been organic for 17 years. Its main enterprises are suckler to beef, sheep and lambs.

She told Agriland: “Probably going back to 2008, I was looking at it as an option.

“I was a pedigree sheep breeder, and high costs were associated with that enterprise.”

She went organic in 2010, after a 25-hour course on the subject organised by Teagasc, with her farm now certified with Organic Trust.

On the 2026 EU Organic Awards, O’Sullivan said: “It’s a very big achievement to be nominated.”

“It’s great for the organic sector in Ireland and great as a female farmer to be recognised, and for me, personally.

“I am the fifth generation farmer on the farm and the first female farmer.”

National awards

Following the EU Awards, Irish attention will shift to the upcoming National Organic Awards, hosted by Bord Bia, which will be presented to winners at an event in Dublin on Thursday, September 24.

Launched by Minister Heydon at Bloom in May, the award categories are:

Best Irish Organic Brand Award;
Best Irish Organic Farmer Award (Male and Female);
Best Irish Organic Retailer Award;
Best Irish Organic Exporter Award;
Best New & Innovative Irish Organic Product Award;
Best Irish Organic Foodservice & Impact Initiative Award;

The National Organic Awards are organised by Bord Bia with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.