Kay O'Sullivan, who runs an organic suckler-to-beef and sheep farm at Mourneabbey in North Cork, has been shortlisted in the final three for best organic farmer (female) at the European Organic Awards. The winner will be announced in Brussels on Wednesday, September 23, at a ceremony hosted by the European Commission and presented by Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen.

The awards are organised by the Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, with categories for the best female and male organic farmer, best organic region or bio-district, best organic city, best organic food-processing SME, best organic retailer and best organic restaurant or food service.

"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," said Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, who noted that it comes in the Year of the Woman Farmer and that since 2023 proportionately more women farmers have been choosing organics as a career.

O'Sullivan's farm has been organic for 17 years. A former pedigree sheep breeder, she began looking at the option around 2008 because of the high costs of that enterprise, converted in 2010 after a 25-hour Teagasc course, and is now certified by Organic Trust. Her farm won the Organic Production category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards in 2025 and is held up as proof that an organic farm can be productive while delivering for the environment.

"It's a very big achievement to be nominated," she told Agriland. "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."

After Brussels, attention turns to Bord Bia's National Organic Awards in Dublin on Thursday, September 24, with categories for best Irish organic brand, farmer (male and female), retailer, exporter, new and innovative product, and foodservice and impact initiative. The story was reported by the Agriland News Team.

Source: Agriland