Three local North Cork IFA participants from the 2025 IFA Ready To Lead Programme were delighted to see that, the Ready To Lead Programme has been launched for 2026. Carmel Casey, Glanworth, Ciaran Sheehan, Mitchelstown and David Flynn, Fermoy were all successful candidates in 2025 roll out of the Programme and all three people said that they all felt so lucky to have been chosen and would highly recommend other like minded people, with an interest in farming politics to apply for the next phase of the initiative.
Carmel Casey said she would strongly recommend applying for the ready to lead Programme.
“For me it was truly eye-opening, a chance to see how policy works in practice and to understand the bigger picture. It opens doors you might not expect and brings together a group of like minded people. The group gelled so well as a team and the support and friendships we built with each other will last well beyond the programme.”
Ciaran Sheehan said the programme offers ‘a unique look at the IFA’s influential role in Ireland and the EU’.
“It’s a fantastic way to gain an insight, build connections with other young farmers and see how our voice is heard where it matters both at home and abroad.”
Commenting on his experience, David Flynn said the Ready to Lead Programme showcased the importance of having a strong farming lobby group such as the IFA.
“This initiative gave the thirty participants a unique opportunity to see the huge amount of work being done by the organisation on a daily basis and we saw how well the IFA is respected, both at home and abroad.”
David added that he would like to thank the Irish Farmers Association and FBD trust for organising and financing the initiative.
“It was a really well organised event and we were on the go every minute of every day, for the six days and I would recommend any young person involved in agriculture to apply for it before the 22nd of December 2025”
The Ready to Lead programme is for farmers interested in learning more about agri policy, providing the opportunity to meet key stakeholders who help shape policy within agriculture in Ireland and the EU, while also providing those farmers with hands-on experience within IFA.
The six-day programme will be rolled out over three events across two days each, throughout 2026. It will include sessions with leaders in the sector; political representatives in Dublin; and an educational tour to Brussels to see the IFA office in action and to gain a better understanding of how the EU institutions work on the ground. The Ready to Lead Programme is fully funded by IFA, FBD Trust CLG and Farm Business Skillnet.
Speaking at the launch, IFA President Francie Gorman said it is crucial the Association provides the next generation of farm leaders with the opportunity to get involved as the decisions on agri-policy being made today will impact on their futures.
“I encourage farmers out there with an interest learning about agri-policy to apply for 2026. It is a real opportunity to learn about how decisions are made for Irish agriculture and the role IFA play in defending farmers,” the IFA President said.
The chair of FBD Trust Michael Berkery said FBD is delighted to support the second year of this important leadership initiative helping to identify and promote the next generation of IFA leaders.
