Farm Family Options Programme Call for Applications (19-11-09)

19/11/2009

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA is encouraging farm families to avail of the opportunities available to them under the Farm Family Options initiative.

The initiative aims to help members of farm families to review their current position, consider options for the future of the farm and themselves and take steps towards providing a better future for themselves and their family. Under the new scheme, which is part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme, mentoring and funding is available to assist farm families in pursuit of a more secure and sustainable future. Speaking during a visit to an information evening at Loughry College, Cookstown, the Minister said: “The farm family is an integral part of the rural community and initiatives such as Farm Family Options aim to provide necessary support during a period of significant change. “In recent years we have witnessed significant changes in the structure of the farming sector. This has brought challenges for many farm families. However, the changing role that farming plays in maintaining the rural resource for everyone has, at the same time, brought great opportunity. “It is important that farm families plan for their future. This could include consideration of business improvements, diversification, succession and retirement or a full or part-time career off-farm to run alongside the family farm business. “This scheme can assist in two ways. Firstly, through the support of a skilled mentor, a free and confidential service will enable the farm family to reflect on their business, examine options open to them and draw up a plan of action. Secondly, training grants can enable farmers and their families to develop skills to enable the existing farm business to work more efficiently. Or it can be an opportunity to retrain or develop skills required to diversify into other enterprises or secure off-farm employment to supplement the farm income. “To see so many people come along to this information evening is encouraging and I would urge as many farm families as possible to go along to these meetings and find out more about the support available." Farm Family Options is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) as part of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. Applications under Tranche 1 will be accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis up until 31st March 2010. For further information please click here. Alternatively log on to www.countrysiderural.co.uk.

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