Workshops to deliver finance skills to farmers

Farm families will gain key financial skills from developing a business to applying for grants at a new series of Teagasc workshops.

Teagasc is to deliver its ‘Options’ workshops for farm families at 12 locations in autumn.

The first is at McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co Mayo, on September 29. All workshops start at 7.30pm.

Geraldine Hynes, Teagasc ‘Options’ co-ordinator for the Claremorris workshop, said: “Improving household income is the key focus for all farm families.

The workshop will help families look at the resources and options available on the farm and within the farm household to generate additional income for the family.

“Hearing first hand from farmers who have succeeded in adding an additional income stream tells their own story, helps expose farm families to new ideas and examine opportunities,” she said.

With five sessions over five weeks, farmers will visit local farms and entrepreneurs who have diversified their farming activities.

Topics will include farm finances; alternative land use; and applying for grants.

From now to November, Teagasc will visit Wexford, Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Roscommon, Offaly, Leitrim, Clare and Donegal.