A new generation of young women are making their mark in a very positive way, both at farm level and within the agri-business sector.

This was the subject of discussion with two recent graduates from the College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise's (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus, Catherine McAdoo and Kaitlyn McBride .

Both attended the 2026 Irish National Sheep Dog Trials held at Stuart Hall Estate, near Stewartstown in Co Tyrone from August 26 to 29.

Discussing the career path they are currently on within Northern Ireland’s agribusines sector, Catherine, who is from from Armagh, said she returned home to farm after leaving college

Kaitlyn, who comes from from Loughfea in Co Tyrone, does not have a direct agricultural background, but she is now actively involved in the day-to-day running of a farming business.

Significantly, both Catherine and Kaitlyn see a growing role for women across all aspects of agriculture.

This is already apparent in the gender breakdown of the students now studying agriculture and agri-business related courses, they said.

Kaitlyn, who completed two agricultural courses at Greenmount, explained: “I think that agriculture is going towards females getting more and more involved.

Catherine added: “I completed a level three qualification in agriculture, again at Greenmount.  

"After leaving college, I farmed full-time and then got involved in agribusiness".

Kaitlyn says that during her first course, there was quite a high enrolment of male students.

“But that trend was turned around completely when I decided to avail of a follow-up training opportunity with the college,” she said.

“This was a work-based course, which was delivered both on farm and in a classroom setting - it had a 50:50 gender balance.”

Unique skills

Catherine and Kaitlyn both believe that women have unique skill sets that can be utilised for the benefit of farming and the agri-business sector.

These include an ability to pay closer attention to detail, particularly when it comes to rearing calves and working with ewes before and after lambing.

Catherine said: “I grew up on a farm: working within agriculture has always been my passion.

“I am actively involved as a committee member of Bleary Young Farmers’ Club.

"Our aim is to continually get as many people as possible involved in our activities.

Kaitlyn concluded: “Farming is fun: you just have to love it”.