The video will be watched far beyond her own parish – by students considering agricultural science, young women unsure whether farming is for them, and by an industry still reckoning with who gets to be visible within it. Emigration is an increasingly tempting prospect for young Irish farmers, with many seeking opportunities abroad in Canada, Australia and New Zealand – to name just a few popular destinations. Photograph: Alan BetsonBoth Bell and Larkin studied agricultural science in secondary school, and went on to pursue related degrees at third level. Of 24,670 senior cycle students studying agricultural science in the 2025/26 school year – 10,928 are female and 13,742 are male, the Department of Education said. “There aren’t as many young people going back into farming, let them be male or female, or definitely into full-time farming.

Source: The Irish Times March 17, 2026 10:31 UTC