What's Available - How can we help you?
The Focal Farmer Programme assists Low Income Family Units to maintain a viable family income by maximising the farm enterprise and by providing a number of key services which include:
Improving on-farm efficiency to its maximum
- Milk Recording Grants
- AI Grants
- Soil Testing
Entitlements
- Obtaining maximum entitlement under Social Welfare, EU, Agricultural and other relevant schemes.
- Assistants with Farm Assist Application Forms, Family Income Supplement and other relevant Social Welfare Payments.
- Independent Financial Advice tailored to meet the needs of the farm family.
Off Farm Employment/Promotion of the Rural Social Scheme
- Helping to secure off-farm employment to supplement the family farm income.
- Promotion of the Rural Social Scheme.
Farm Diversification
IRD Duhallow actively promotes Pluri-Activity and encourages farming families to engage in niche product markets in particular in the areas of artisan food production and rural tourism to seek alternative ways of gaining or supplementing their income. IRD Duhallow actively supports greater female participation and supports young farmers to investigate alternative farm enterprises which will enhance their income into the future, create employment opportunities and maintain a vibrant rural community in Duhallow. Funding is available through LEADER 2007-2013 to support farmers to diversify into non agricultural activity. Agri-tourism is a complementary activity that combines well with farming activity and also can provide many farm families with the opportunity to develop a viable on-farm alternative enterprise.
- Help farm families to develop new business ideas and encourage individuals to establish their own business.
- Capital Supports for Diversification Projects.
Training and Up-skilling
- Farm Accounts Training
- EFEIRM Internet Training for Farm Families
- Excavator 180 & 360 Training
- Forklift Training Courses
- Basic Computer, Intermediate Computers, Advanced Computers
Information Seminars/Study Trips
Farm Walks are organised on an annual basis and each year the emphasis is on a different system of farming (i.e. beef, suckler, dairy) various Study Days are organised during the year. Information Nights are organised on various topics relevant to the farming community.
For further information, please contact Katie Crowley at 029-60633.
* All our services and consultations are free and strictly confidential
