Online farming network to create 80 to 100 jobs across the country

ONLINE farming network Farmbud.com is to create 80 to 100 jobs over the next three years, with roles to fill in every county in Ireland.

Owned by Longford-based Farming Internet Services Ltd, the company is seeking to fill a number of full-time positions in sales, administration and project development over the next three years, with roles on both sides of the border.

Farming Internet Services has offices in Longford, Galway and Newry. The company has sales and marketing positions to fill in each county, some of which will be part-time roles.

Newry-based Farmbud sales and marketing executive, Sarah Jane McAllister, said: “The website is designed to be an information and networking hub for agri communities north and south, with information on trade.

“There is a lot of interest also in our directory, a 32-county directory which has 150,000 listings. Farmers in the north and south have a lot of dealings with each other. The directory has information on every area of farming business.”

Launched in 2008 at the outset of the Irish agri-food sector’s current growth surge, the Irish Farmbud site is part of a global agricultural network.

It offers members access to a network of 240 countries, farming news and targeted information on jobs, property, machinery, shows and events.

Farmbud is due to publish its new farm business directory within the next few months, available online and in print for farmers across the Island. The directory will allow farmers to identify all their business and service-supply companies in agri-related businesses.

Sales and marketing manager, Lyndsay Eccleston, described the company’s expansion plans as significant.

Farmbud intends to more than treble its workforce over the next three years.

Ms Eccleston said: “Farmbud.com is an innovative new departure for the agricultural community in Ireland and abroad, allowing farmers to hub, trade, learn and interact online.

“We are pleased to announce that Farmbud has grown to the extent that we can contribute more robustly to the provision of employment in every corner of Ireland.

“We expect to treble our workforce over the next three years, signalling a vote of confidence in Ireland’s recovery prospects and the strength of our agri-food sector.

“Farmbud will be looking for innovative individuals with the drive and ambition needed to help this company continue to grow and thrive.”