Farm families from throughout South Kerry are invited to attend the launch of the second initiative to encourage them to develop new enterprises which are non agricultural. The initiative is being launched by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. and is being funded under the RDP (LEADER) Programme. It is aimed at those farmers who feel they could develop a viable on farm business using assets they have on the farm. It is being launched at a public information meeting taking place on Tuesday the 12th of February in the SDKP office, Library Place, Killorglin starting at 7.30pm.
The programme is delivered through a combination of site visits, regular reporting updates and group training events that allow promoters to make informed decisions about their proposed business ideas. Consultant James Turner, who worked with the first group of farm families, said that “the first programme generated 7 excellent diversification proposals which are of great benefit to both the farming families concerned and South Kerry as a whole.” He said that the benefits of initiatives such as this have been clearly proven in the UK where a sustained period of support for diversification has changed the lives of many UK farming families and revitalised the UK economy. James added that he believes a tremendous marketplace exists in South Kerry for diversified farm businesses, and the support and guidance is freely available for those willing to take up the challenge.
RDP Manager Fiona English said that SKDP is delighted with the take-up by farm families under the first programme and is hopeful that a similar number of participants will come forward this year. “The launch meeting on February the 12th in Killorglin will give those farm families who may have a business diversification idea the opportunity to hear from and question others who have gone down the road already” Fiona said. She added that those attending will get all the details about the scheme and how to apply on the night. “We hope that following this second initiative, a similar number of applications will come in for RDP grant aid to set up their businesses” Fiona said.
