[Dublin, Ireland — July 2, 2025] — Dairy Women Ireland (DWI), the national education and support network for women in dairy, is proud to announce significant progress in securing a landmark partnership model with milk processors across the country. This collaborative effort aims to provide long-term, sustainable support for women in the dairy sector through annual processor contributions.
Founded in 2021, DWI has grown into a vibrant, grassroots network that empowers women across Ireland’s dairy industry. From regional meetups to national conference events, the demand for support, education, and connection has been evident — and it’s growing. To date, DWI’s work has been made possible through member subscriptions and generous one-off sponsorships from key industry players, including the current flagship sponsors, Kerry Dairy Ireland and FDC in an effort to get the ball rolling and build momentum.
However, DWI’s ability to meet the increasing demand for its services and to reach the women working in dairy across the country, has been limited by funding. In response, the organisation proposed a forward-thinking solution — a funding structure where milk
processors contribute €2 per supplier annually for a number of years. This investment reflects a fair and equitable commitment, proportionate to processor size.
We are delighted to announce that the majority of dairy processors in Ireland have now committed to this initiative, and even more thrilled to have publicly launched this milestone at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day on July 2nd, 2025. Moorepark Open Day provided an ideal platform to celebrate this collective commitment to supporting women in dairy and building a more inclusive future for the industry.
“With this partnership, we are not only securing funding for Dairy Women Ireland, but we’re also helping processors meet their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals in relation to gender equality and inclusion,” said Mary Kinston, President of Dairy Women Ireland. “This is about investing in the future of farming, creating stronger communities, and building a
more balanced, resilient industry.”
This new model of funding will allow DWI to expand its services, reach more members, and amplify the voices of women working in dairy across Ireland. It represents a powerful and timely step forward for the sector, and shines a light on those investing in women in farming, in a truly meaningful way.
For media enquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:
Ailbhe Tyndall
Communications Committee, Dairy Women Ireland
0860835019
ailbhetyndall@gmail.com
www.dairywomenireland.ie
