Options workshops to help families diversify on-farm business ventures
Teagasc is organising a series of ‘Options’ workshops for farm families at 12 locations throughout the country this autumn.
The goal is to help farm families make wise financial decisions and inspire diversification ideas.
Teagasc Options workshop co-ordinator Stephen Eivers said: “While the priority on many farms is to improve the technical performance of the existing farm enterprise, on others there may be opportunities to add value to farm output or to diversify into other activities.
“The purpose of this series of national workshops is to give information on a range of options which may help improve income.
“That way, participants will be in a better position to assess which, if any, may have a role on their farm.
“All farmers and farm family members are welcome to attend. Workshops are free of charge but prior booking is essential. There will be a small fee for a bus to the farm walks.”
Brendan Allen of Castlemine Farm and head of programme development for Rural Entrepreneurship at the UCD Innovation Academy, will open the workshops at each location. Other speakers will include Teagasc enterprise advisers/specialists, along with representatives from local development company, local enterprise boards, and banks. Farmers and rural entrepreneurs will also tell their own stories.
The first workshop commences at the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, today. All workshops commence at 7.30pm.
Other locations and start dates include:
* Teagasc office, Thurles (October 1);
* Teagasc office, Dungarvan (October 7);
* Teagasc office, Longford (October 8);
* Teagasc office, Naas (October 14);
* Forum Connemara, Letterfrack (October 15);
* Teagasc office, Monaghan (October 21); nTeagasc office, Ballina (October 22);
* Teagasc office, Ballymote (October 23);
* Teagasc office, Macroom (October 28);
* Cork Marts, Fermoy (October 29);
* Teagasc office, Newcastlewest (October 30).
Each workshop will consist of five sessions run over five weeks and will include visits to local farms and entrepreneurs who have succeeded in diversifying their farming activities.
Workshop topics will include: Assessing your enterprise; developing your idea; family farm finances; farm succession planning; food enterprise possibilities; rural tourism; energy crops/ forestry; organic oppor-tunities; alternative land use options; business plan; and applying for grant aid.
