The June 2026 edition of CAP Network Ireland’s 8-page Bi-Annual Newsletter is out now! What’s inside? 🟢 An update on our Transition Year programme promoting generational renewal in agriculture 🟢 Highlights from the ‘Unlocking LEADER Programme Opportunities’ workshop 🟢 ‘Thriving Upland Communities are Essential for the Common Good’ case study 🟢 The EU Corner … and more! 🔗 Read the newsletter here: capnetworkireland.eu/wp-cont… #capnetworkireland #SustainableAgriculture #RuralInnovation

Are you a farmer within a 15km radius of Cootehill? The Upper Erne Slurry Solutions Project (Ssuper EIP) is looking to recruit farmers to take part in their innovative and timely project. Learn more: capnetworkireland.eu/join-th… #capnetworkireland #SustainableAgriculture

The 9th edition of the CAP Network Ireland e-Bulletin for 2026 has landed. Cooperation in Agriculture and Rural Development is the theme for this edition. Read it all here: mailchi.mp/capnetworkireland… #cooperation #capnetworkireland #eucapnetwork

Blátnaid Gallagher is a full-time mixed farmer on 100 acres of land in Co. Galway, comprising diversified grass swards for birds and pollinators, mixed-species broadleaf forestry, as well as commercial timber. Her farm enterprise consists of native sheep and ponies. Revenue is generated from the sale of wool, meat and organic forage, along with farm tours and visits from social farming participants twice a week. She is proud to be a representative in FLIARA, a Europe-wide rural innovation ecosystem that supports women-led innovative practices in farming and rural areas. For Blátnaid, increasing public understanding of farming matters. Consumers need to see the work, care, and commitment behind food production, and farmers need to be heard and respected for the role they play. She hopes consumer transparency, traceability and supply chain awareness will feature strongly in the next iteration of the CAP. Read more about Blátnaid’s story at: 👉 capnetworkireland.eu/wp-cont… #capnetworkireland #womeninagriculture #agricultureireland #IYWF2026 #YearoftheWomanFarmer

It was such a pleasure having the 8th National Networks Meeting in Ireland. As well as all the insights gained through workshops and presentations, attendees got a glimpse into Irish culture and the beauty of Wicklow's landscape. From Irish music and ceili dancing to the breathtaking scenery of the Wicklow mountains, we hope our guests from EU member states enjoyed their Irish experience. Go raibh maith agaibh agus slán abhaile. Thank you all and safe journey home. 🇮🇪🤗 #NNMeeting #eucapnetwork #capnetworkireland

Many thanks to ACRES CP Leinster and @wicklowpship for hosting representatives from across the EU as part of the 8th National Networks Meeting. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about cooperation in action at two sites in Wicklow and attendees left feeling inspired by the insights shared. #NNMeeting #capnetworkireland

CAP Network Ireland is delighted to launch our Cooperation Booklet at the EU CAP Network 8th National Networks Meeting in Wicklow. Cooperation between food producers, landowners, local communities and relevant experts is proving to be an extremely effective catalyst for change in rural Ireland. 🤝 Cooperation is enhancing farmers’ negotiation leverage, improving their livelihoods, and fostering economic resilience. Seemingly insurmountable challenges such as improving biodiversity at the landscape level are being overcome by mobilising rural communities to effect change. New innovative solutions are being explored to give people greater access to land and to participate both in the rural economy and in the community. Endangered ancient breeds of livestock that were once common in the rural landscape and central to our shared heritage are being revived and making a niche but important contribution to modern land management again. The case studies featured in this booklet are just a snapshot of an impressively wide range of cooperation initiatives currently underway in Ireland where CSP support is involved. The CSP is providing the framework for this to happen through programmes such as ACRES CP, European Innovation Partnerships, Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme, ESSPO, LEADER, and the Knowledge Transfer Programme. 👉 Read the booklet here: capnetworkireland.eu/wp-cont… #capnetworkireland #EUCAPNetwork #nnmeeting #cooperationinagriculture @irishrurallink

The EU CAP Network 8th National Networks Meeting got underway today in the beautiful surroundings of Wicklow. CAP Network Ireland's James Claffey welcomed attendees to the meeting and reflected on the theme of cooperation, noting that "real cooperation takes hard work and commitment" toward a common goal. Later, CAP Network Ireland's Dave Barry presented on the benefits of capacity-building workshops to enhance project outcomes for EIP-AGRI Operational Groups and partners. The day also featured a pre-meeting gathering of the geographical cluster groups, including the Atlantic Cluster Group, in which CAP Network Ireland participated. Attendees got into the spirit of cooperation with a fun, competitive cooperation-themed puzzle activity that emphasised the importance of connection and exchange. @irishrurallink | @eucapnetwork | #NNMeeting #eucapnetwork #capnetworkireland

We are delighted to announce that the EU CAP Network, in conjunction with CAP Network Ireland, is hosting the 8th National Networks Meeting in Co. Wicklow this week. The meeting is kicking off this afternoon with a video message from Martin Heydon, Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. #capnetworkireland #eucapnetwork #NNMeeting @eucapnetwork | @irishrurallink | @ERINNinnovation | @MTU_ie

Meet Mary O’Brien, a fisherwoman who grew up in a family of fishermen. She runs an oyster-fishing enterprise with her husband in Tralee Bay, southwest Ireland. As a member of the Tralee Bay Oyster Co-operative, she aims to ensure that oysters are harvested sustainably and not overfished. She also helps monitor the health of local oyster populations, which are particularly important to the marine ecosystem, helping to filter and clean the water. Mary is aware of the continuing gender imbalance within the fishing industry. But she credits her grandmother for instilling in her a deep love for the sea and teaching her to pay attention to the world around her, and to care for her community. Mary reflects that, “Women like my grandmother gave so much to our coastal communities, often without recognition — and that’s still true today. I’d like to see policies that formally acknowledge the work women do across fishing, aquaculture, processing, administration, and family-run businesses, because so much of it goes unseen. I also think we need better access to marine biodiversity education, so communities understand invasive species and why it’s so important to protect our marine environment. But most of all, I want the stories and experiences of Irish fisherwomen to be documented and celebrated — our knowledge and contribution to these communities deserve to be recognised.” Read more about Mary’s story at: 👉 capnetworkireland.eu/wp-cont… #capnetworkireland #womeninagriculture #AgricultureIreland #IYWF2026 #YearOfTheWomanFarmer @irishrurallink | @agriculture_ie | @eucapnetwork | @ERINNinnovation | @MTU_ie

On a fifth-generation family farm dating back to 1889, Tomás O Nidh, a retired teacher and fluent Irish speaker, feels a deep connection to family, community and the land. He is a dry stock farmer based in the Connemara Gaeltacht in the West of Ireland. Tomás manages his marginal farm with an extensive grazing system using a small herd of Dexter cattle for the betterment of local flora and fauna. Participating in ACRES CP under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, Tomás sees a vital role for marginal farmland like his farm in the future. “This place is thriving with biodiversity. The moss is a sign that the air is clean and the herbs on the ground show that there is no weedkiller being sprayed. That helps the small animals and the insects. Perhaps, for land that is not suited to intensive farming, that is the role it can play. We can nurture nature here”, he says. You can read more about Tomás O Nidh’s farm at: capnetworkireland.eu/farmers… #capnetworkireland #ACRESCP #AgricultureIreland #CAPstrategicplan @agriculture_ie | @irishrurallink | @ERINNinnovation | @MTU_ie | @eucapnetwork | @followers |

The European Organic Congress 2026, organised by @OrganicsEurope, will be hosted by @agriculture_ie in Cork from 6-8 October. This years theme is 'Organics: A Strategic Investment in Europe’s Resilience'. Learn more: capnetworkireland.eu/setting… #EOC2026 #capnetworkireland

Meet Siobhain Hubbard from Co. Waterford, who co-manages an organic pig and lamb farm enterprise. Newbard Farm is committed to high standards and sustainable stewardship, emphasising quality produce for the domestic and local market rather than seeking scale for the international export system. Having found it increasingly difficult to sell local meat products to a domestic market within the existing meat processing system, Siobhain decided that change was needed and has worked tirelessly towards the creation of Slí na Feirme, a cooperative of small-scale farmers looking to build small-scale animal processing infrastructure. Thanks to Siobhan’s leadership, the initiative has attracted 160 farmers from across the country and 60 farmers in the southeast with skills, knowledge and capacity to service a domestic facility. Read more about Siobhain’s story at: capnetworkireland.eu/wp-cont… #capnetworkireland #womeninagriculture #agricultureireland @ERINNinnovation @MTU_ie @irishrurallink @agriculture_ie @eucapnetwork

The 8th edition of the CAP Network Ireland e-Bulletin for 2026 has arrived. In this edition we focus on the organic sector. Read it here: mailchi.mp/capnetworkireland… #capnetworkireland #organicfarming #EOC2026

Meet Elaine Clarke from Co. Kilkenny. She co-founded Amberly Alpacas almost 20 years ago, managing a breeding programme for alpacas, along with her husband, that focuses on improving genetics, providing education, and promoting high standards of animal welfare. Elaine is also involved in processing the fleece, deciding how it can be used, and identifying whether it can be turned into yarn, bespoke garments or artisan products. Championing diversification in agricultural practice, she recognises the importance of providing women with opportunities to develop enterprises around their own interests and expertise. “Women have always played an essential role in farming, but diversification has helped many become recognised not simply as helping on the farm, but as business partners, innovators and entrepreneurs in their own right”, says Elaine. Read more about Elaine’s story at: capnetworkireland.eu/wp-cont… #capnetworkireland #womeninagriculture #agricultureireland @ERINNinnovation @MTU_ie @irishrurallink @agriculture_ie @eucapnetwork

As part of Leitrim Climate Action Week, an informative farm walk will take place at John & Amanda O’Connell’s Farm in Ballinamore on Saturday, 3 October, at 11am. Explore practical tips on carbon farming and see how the Signpost Programme can make your farm more resilient. Full details: climateactionweek.ie/events/… To stay up to date with other agricultural and rural events of interest to you, make sure to visit the CAP Network Ireland Events Calendar: capnetworkireland.eu/events-…