An inspiring Donegal farmer is in the running to become the

Carrigans farmer and businesswoman Shannon Porter has been named as one of the five national finalists for the title of Ireland's Women in Agriculture Ambassador.

Shannon, who runs The Milk Bar from her family farm in east Donegal, is also a member of the IFA Farm Business Committee.

IFA Farm Business Committee

In 2021, Shannon opened Donegal's first milk vending machine for bottled pasteurised milk, fresh from the Porter farm.

She will join the other finalists this Thursday in Athlone at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine International Women's Day Conference 2026, where the winner will be announced following a panel discussion with all five candidates. The winner will serve as Ireland's ambassador for International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, sharing knowledge, goals and lived experience as a female farmer in Ireland and represent Irish women farmers at both a national and global stage.

Department of Agriculture Food

Shannon said she is honoured to be included.

"Honestly, out of all the incredible women farmers across Ireland whose dedication and hard work I admire so much, I can hardly believe that I'm one of the five being recognised to represent women farmers in Ireland," she said.

Milk Bar

Agriculture has always played a central role in Shannon's life. Alongside her parents and two younger brothers, the family runs a busy mixed enterprise that includes milking 450 cows, rearing replacement heifers, finishing dairy calves for beef and managing a flock of 100 ewes.

At the age of 23, Shannon took the leap in 2021 to diversify the family farm by installing a milk vending machine and opening a farm shop. With sustainability at its core, The Milk Bar focuses on returning to glass bottles to reduce plastic waste and lower our carbon footprint. The Milk Bar supplies fresh milk and homemade ice cream to local coffee shops, award-winning restaurants and farm shops.

The part worth remembering

Shannon is a strong advocate for agriculture and rural life.

"I am passionate about promoting positive conversations around agriculture, supporting young farmers and women in farming, and encouraging the next generation to see the opportunities within our industry. I also host school visits and open the farm to the public each Easter to provide a hands-on experience of modern, sustainable food production."

Honestly, out of all the incredible women farmers across Ireland whose dedication and hard work I admire so much, I can hardly believe that I'm one of the five being recognised to represent women farmers in Ireland.

Reading the wider picture

Fresh produce runs on seasons that ignore calendars, and most supply problems begin as nothing more complicated than weather in the wrong week.

At a glance

Carrigans farmer and businesswoman Shannon Porter has been named as one of the five national finalists for the title of Ireland's Women in Agriculture Ambassador
Shannon, who runs The Milk Bar from her family farm in east Donegal, is also a member of the IFA Farm Business Committee
"Honestly, out of all the incredible women farmers across Ireland whose dedication and hard work I admire so much, I can hardly believe that I'm one of the five being recognised to represent women farmers in Ireland," she said
Agriculture has always played a central role in Shannon's life
Shannon is a strong advocate for agriculture and rural life

By the numbers

In 2021, Shannon opened Donegal's first milk vending machine for bottled pasteurised milk, fresh from the Porter farm
Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, sharing knowledge, goals and lived experience as a female farmer in Ireland and
At the age of 23, Shannon took the leap in 2021 to diversify the family farm by installing a milk vending machine and opening a farm shop

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