In the sixth instalment of Agriland's 'Groundbreakers' series, we meet a Co. Cavan farmer and content creator sharing her journey online.

Groundbreakers, proudly supported by FBD, is highlighting the important role of women in farming.

The series, which includes articles, videos and podcasts, is showcasing a number of diverse experiences in light of 2026 being International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Issues being examined include innovation and diversification, generational renewal, and the evolving identity of Irish farming.

Sophie Bell is farming in Virginia, Co. Cavan, contract rearing dairy and beef heifers for farmers across the country.

Sophie studied agriculture and animal science at Harper Adams University in the UK, and did her master's degree in University College Dublin, focusing her thesis on TB and the impact on farmers.

"After I graduated university, I took on the farm as a partnership with my father," Sophie said.

"It wasn't going in the best direction, just relying on beef prices and commodity pricing.

"So we decided to go a different direction, and I was allowed to take more ownership of it, thankfully, and I have a lot more of a management role.

"Now we're looking to build infrastructure in the yard and it's all very early days - but it's going really well."

Sophie will be familiar to many for sharing her farming life and more online.

She said she started posting online when she was in college, and when she graduated, "it started building more momentum and I got a bit more vulnerable about my story rather than just sharing the pictures".

"A lot of has come off the back of that and a lot of lovely opportunities," Sophie said.

"I've been able to speak in universities and schools about my journey, and that's helped inspire other people and other young girls in the industry."

When she was in school herself, Sophie said there probably weren't that many female farmer role models to look up to.

"However, I do realise my mom, for example, was always working in the background," she said.

"She was doing so much and that probably wasn't recognised, and she had a big ownership role in the whole thing as well as looking after the kids and the household.

"So that's probably a good side of social media that you're able to pick up the phone and see the diverse industry that it is and the different routes you can take," she said.

Sophie said she has joined a few mentor programmes during her studies, and through one of them was put in touch with the owner of Cormac Tagging, Ursula Kelly, who has been "so supportive".

"Whenever I first started in college, I worked for a local lady who is a dairy farmer, and she taught me so much about the practical side of things," Sophie added.

"I think that really laid a huge foundation for my career."

Bias

Being a woman in agriculture, Sophie said it is in industry she has experienced some bias and challenges.

"For example, I've had to change some documents for contracts because they assumed that the person in charge is a man," Sophie explained.

"Our planning permission was addressed to Sophie Bell, but the actual paper inside said 'Dear sir' - why are we assuming that the person in charge is a male?

"Hopefully, in years to come, that won't ever be an issue that we'll need to talk about."

Groundbreakers

The Agriland Groundbreakers series comes as the United Nations (UN) has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

This year spotlights the essential roles women play across agri-food systems, while often going unrecognised.

"I think it's an important year," Sophie said.

"It's celebrating women in agriculture, but at the same time, I think it's allowing us to work on certain aspects that have been forgotten about that we need to work on.

"It's great to recognise those things and have those conversations.

"I think it's very beneficial and hopefully it'll have a huge impact."