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Collaborative farming and succession planning on women's forum agenda

January 30th, 2019 7:10 AM

By Southern Star Team

Finola Colgan, Mental Health Ireland, is among the speakers.

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Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union will host the second in their series of Women in Agriculture forums.

SKIBBEREEN and Bandon Credit Union will host the second in their series of Women in Agriculture forums.

Achieving a good work-life balance, collaborative farming and succession planning are among the critical issues for Women which will be discussed.

This event, which will be hosted by c103’s Patricia Messenger, will take place in the West Cork Hotel on Thursday, February 7th. It will target women involved in farming and agri-business on a day-to-day basis and those who manage farm and family finances and administration.

A recent survey by Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union on women involved in agri in West Cork has found that 61% feel that financial pressure is the most significant stress factor when running a farm. The survey, which sought to look for women’s insights into farm life, was carried out ahead of the first forum event held in Bandon last October.

Farming has become a very pressurised industry with increasing concerns surrounding Brexit and the ever-increasing admin duties which must be completed alongside the day-to-day duties on the farm drive a need for more information and advice on best practices to meet these demands.

Speakers at the seminar will include Tom Curran, specialist farm management advisor at Teagasc, who will speak on collaborative farming initiatives including farm partnerships. Finola Colgan, Mental Health Ireland, will address attendees on the topic of managing stress and the five ways to wellbeing. Albert Wolfe, solicitor, will speak about succession planning and securing the future of the farm business.

The event will also see a panel discussion among some of West Cork’s leading female voices in farming who will speak openly about the triumphs and trials of running a farm. Among the panel of contributors will be Valerie Kingston, farmer and driving force behind Glen Ilen Farm,;Máire McCarthy, farmer, QFA and board member of Bandon Co-Op, and Marguerite Crowley, dairy farmer and past winner of Carbery Milk Quality Awards and finalists in NDC & Dairygold Quality Milk Awards.

Speaking about the forum, Elma Casey, COO of Skibbereen and Bandon Credit Union, said: ‘This event, the second in a series, will build on our experience and will give attendees some solid take-home lessons on how to deal with changing farm practices and how they can better plan for the future. A vital part of this event will be the questions and answers session, and we will make sure that there is ample time allowed at this forum for this essential element. 

‘We look forward to hearing personal stories from women at the forefront of farming in West Cork who will speak candidly on the real challenges and benefits of farm life.’

To book your seat, register online at www.skibbereencu.ie/forum.  

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