Women Step into Farming – Hannah Quinn Mulligan's sustainability journey

Hannah Quinn Mulligan farms in Croom, Co. Limerick, alongside her mother and grandmother, a trio who serve as ambassadors and examples of leading women in agriculture. Many will recognise Hannah’s voice as a regular radio host and award-winning journalist, covering everything from farming and rural affairs to policy. It’s her hands-on experience that sets her apart. With deep roots in family farming, she has been a strong advocate for rural Ireland while embarking on the journey of making her own farm more sustainable. One such sustainability initiative is the move towards organic farming.

The Farm

Set in a picturesque landscape, the farm features a recently renovated farmhouse and outbuildings, complemented by a lively mix of farm animals that enhance the experience for those visiting the farm shop during the summer months. The farm shop sells a variety of goods all produced within the farm gate including, organic milk, yogurt, ice cream and kefir from the eight milking cows, along with beef from their pedigree hereford cattle, and honey from the bee hives. 

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of this farming enterprise, but the word sustainability not only refers to the environment, but encompasses both economic and social parameters. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is built of these three goals, with each country using targeted actions that aim to address specific needs. 

One such goal is the Organic Farming Scheme, which helps enable farmers like Hannah to convert from a traditional farming system to an organic one. A traditional system often relies on chemical inputs, pesticides and anthelmintics to manage the farming system. In organics it’s very much amount about what’s inside the farm gate, such as animal slurry, farmyard manure and the clever use of crop rotation to maintain soil health and productivity.  

For Hannah and her family, converting to organics was just one step in their broader sustainability journey. They have also implanted practices that more traditional farmers can look at including solar panels. On this farm solar power covers half of the total electricity usage, which is a great example of an action that has both environmental and financial rewards. 

Women step into farming

Women have always played a crucial role in agriculture, often balancing farm work with family life while driving innovation and sustainability in the sector. Hannah, her mother, and her grandmother embody this legacy. Their transition to organic farming, commitment to sustainability, and entrepreneurial spirit in running the farm shop reflect the growing influence of women in shaping the future of agriculture.

Organic Farming and the CAP

The European Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food, a roadmap to shape the future of farming and food in Europe

Department of Agriculture Women in Agriculture webpage