Elaine Coleman Murphy, Tillage Farmer

Elaine loves working outside. Her favourite machine is her new Holland tractor T8040 and cultivator. Knowing first-hand how difficult farming is as a sustainable livelihood, Elaine is passionate about the treatment of farmers in Ireland.

‘If I asked you to go to work every day, every week, but told you I could not guarantee you would be paid, that in fact, you might lose money, would you go to work? Every day, this is what farmers in Ireland face.’

Elaine is married and has one son. Her family work all year round (often 14 hour days including weekends and holidays. Every year, planting crops in autumn feels like rolling a dice. There is never a guarantee they will break-even, never mind make any profit. Although she is aware of the hardships involved in farming life, Elaine wouldn’t do anything else. Her idea of heaven is sitting into the tractor in the morning with 100 acres of work in front of her, the radio for company, and the smell of freshly worked soil in the air.

Photo: Beta Bajgart