CAFRE to host farm business support events

Date published: 19 November 2019

CAFRE have announced a series of events to inform farmers of a number of schemes that will benefit their business.

‘Supporting Your Farm Business’ events will be held on CAFRE campuses on the following dates:

  • Greenmount Campus, Antrim on Tuesday 26 November (2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm)
  • Enniskillen Campus on Thursday 28 November (7pm to 9pm)
  • Loughry Campus, Cookstown on Tuesday 3 December (7pm to 9pm)

CAFRE Director, Martin McKendry said: “I encourage all farmers to attend these events. You will have the opportunity to talk with CAFRE staff who can help you decide which Schemes are best for you and your business. In particular, you can find out more about one of our new Schemes, Technology Demonstration Farms as well as the new Environmental Farming option within the Business Development Groups Scheme.”

Schemes that will be discussed at the events include:

Business Development Groups (BDGs)

You can apply to the BDGs scheme at these events. The Scheme will be open from 10am on Monday 18 November 2019 until 4pm on Friday 23 January 2020. BDGs bring small groups of farmers together locally, to enhance their knowledge of business management, new technologies and innovative ways of working. This year there is an Environmental Farming option in addition to all other agriculture sectors.

Technology Demonstration Farms (TDFs)

This is the latest scheme to be launched by CAFRE. Come along to a ‘CAFRE – Supporting Your Farm Business’ event and find out more about the latest technologies and innovations being demonstrated on the local network of TDFs across Northern Ireland.

Farm Innovation Visits (FIVs)

FIVs give farmers the opportunity to visit farms across the UK or Europe and gain first-hand experience of on-farm innovative approaches. At these events you can hear about recent successful visits and find out more about forthcoming visits to see innovations which are not currently practiced within Northern Ireland’s farming industry.

Farm Family Key Skills (FFKS)

FFKS offers free training to farmers, family members and employees in local venues. Training is currently available in ‘Responsible Use of Antimicrobials’, ‘First Aid Awareness’ and ‘Coping with Pressures of Farming’.

Download more information on CAFRE – Supporting Your Farm Business’ events or call 028 9442 6790 or email: kt.admin@daera-ni.gov.uk

These schemes are partly funded by the EU through the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.

Notes to editors: 

  1. Photo caption - Find out more about Schemes which can benefit your business at the 'CAFRE – Supporting Your Farm Business’ events. Martin McKendry, CAFRE Director (Right) is pictured with Scheme Managers who will be available to advise you on the best options for you and your business. Also pictured left to right are Kenneth Johnston, John McKee, Fiona Dickson and Sean McIntyre.’
  2. CAFRE – Supporting Your Farm Business’ events will provide information about Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Schemes including the new Environmental Farming option in Business Development Groups and the recently launched Technology Demonstration Farms.
  3. College of Agriculture Food & Rural enterprise (CAFRE) is responsible for the delivery of Knowledge Transfer, Innovation and Cooperation Schemes.
  4. For more information on these Schemes, please email: kt.admin@daera-ni.gov.uk or call Knowledge Transfer Administration on 028 9442 6790.
  5. These Schemes are part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
  6. The department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the department’s internal records management system. The department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
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  8. All media enquiries to DAERA Press Office, pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or tel: 028 9052 4619.

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