Axis 1 Focus Farms Measure

The Focus Farm measure is funded through the European Union's Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013, Axis 1, Measure 1.1.
Measure 1.1 was designed to meet the objective of improving the competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry sectors.  The Focus Farm Sub-measure contributes to this objective by providing farmers and farm families with innovative training and information actions.

DARD intends to establish up to 60 Focus Farms throughout Northern Ireland representing a range of farm businesses and locations to ‘promote good practice by example’ on their farms. These farms will then be available for groups to visit, where they can learn, share experiences and solve common problems through discussion, farm walks and demonstrations, led by the Focus Farmer.

Focus Farms will be benchmarked against similar farms.  Visiting farmers will have an opportunity to compare their own performance information with that of the Focus Farm.  Visiting farmers can also benefit from a mentoring programme where they will have access to the Focus Farmer on a one-to-one basis to follow up questions arising from the farm visit.

Focus Farmers will be eligible for financial assistance to establish and maintain their farm as a training facility.

A Focus Farmer will need to be able to do the following in an efficient and effective manner:-

A Focus Farmer will also need to be able to outline management practices and experiences of managing a farm business to groups of farmers and farm family members.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, why not come to one of our
Focus Farm workshops.
You can also contact Colin Rea on telephone number 028 8676 8398 or, by e-mail
colin.rea@dardni.gov.uk.

Focus Farm Application packs will be available from Monday 18th August 2008.
The application form must be returned, fully completed, by 4.00pm Friday 12th September 2008.


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