Where can I get help?

Rural Enterprise Advisers are available to encourage farmers to participate in rural development initiatives, including those wishing to start a diversification project. They can provide consultation services to help develop a business idea and assist with business training and planning. They can also help identify sources of funding.

For further information and advice contact your local Rural Enterprise Adviser:

Or alternatively contact Rural Enterprise Branch at Dundonald House

The Farm Diversification element of the RDP is being delivered by seven Council Clusters using the LEADER approach. An EU-wide initiative, LEADER methodology uses local knowledge to enable a “bottom-up”, area-based, innovative and integrated community-led approach to the delivery of RDP funding in rural areas.

Council Clusters have facilitated the creation of Local Action Groups (LAG), which cover all sectors of the community. Local Development Strategies have also been developed setting out plans for their areas, including selection criteria for local projects. Each LAG will be responsible for delivering against their Local Development Strategy, selecting and funding projects which best meet the priorities for their area and support the delivery of their Strategy.

For details on how to contact your Local Action Group, please visit the Rural Development Programme website

College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Development Advisers
Locally based Dairy and Beef & Sheep advisers can help you to discuss and prepare a farm development plan. This can include helping you to assess your financial health, increasing farm efficiency and facilitating training and education.
Contact Greenmount Campus on 028 9442 6601.

Loughry Campus - The Food Centre

For enterprises connected with food or food processing, advice and a range of training courses can be obtained at Loughry Campus. Operated by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) this 'Centre of Excellence' for food is the advice route to take for diversification projects such as farmhouse cheese production or vegetable processing.
The Loughry Campus contact number is 028 8676 8100, or you can visit Loughry Campus web site.

Invest NI

Invest NI is the single economic development agency for Northern Ireland, exercising the functions of the former IDB, LEDU, IRTU, the Business Support Division of DETI and the business support activities of NITB. Contact 028 9023 9090 or visit the  Invest NI web site.

Local Enterprise Agencies

Your local enterprise agency (LEAs) is a valuable source of support, information (including market data), advice, and provides regular business start-up courses.
To find the enterprise agency in your area call the free phone number: 028 7776 3555, or visit the Enterprise NI website.

Local and Borough Councils

Most councils in Northern Ireland presently have an economic development officer in post. Their role is to assist all kinds of businesses and foster economic development in their locality.

Environmental health officers are also relevant to many farm diversification projects.
Contact your Economic Development Officer or Environmental Health Officer through your local council office.

NITB

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board can provide help and guidance in the setting up of bed & breakfast or guesthouse businesses.
Contact NITB on 028 9023 1221 or visit NITB's web site.