Grow South Antrim

DARD Diversification Days

DARD is hosting two diversification awareness events in December:

• Cloughbane Farm Shop, Cookstown - Tuesday, 7th December 2.30pm-4pm
• The Jungle, Moneymore - Thursday, 9th December 10am-11.30am

For anyone thinking about farm diversification and wanting to learn more about the support and funding that is available, DARD is hosting events at two successful diversification projects in the mid-Ulster area.   The first will be held at Cloughbane Farm Shop, Pomeroy on Tuesday 7^th December from 2.30-4.00pm and the second at The Jungle, Moneymore on Thursday 9^th December 10.00-11.30 am.

These visits offer an excellent opportunity to see diversification businesses working alongside the farm businesses and would be of interest to anyone thinking of manufacturing, retail or leisure.

Cloughbane Farm Shop was established in 2002 by the Robinson family as a small farm shop to add value to their farm produce.  Today they produce a range of traditional pies and ready meals along side an expanded farm shop employing 15 people.

The Jungle is an outdoor activity centre based on the family dairy farm and is owned and operated by Robert Carmichael.  It was the first site in Northern Ireland to offer paintballing and each year Robert adds a new offering to keep the business fresh and appealing. Robert has made great use of the farm's resources to differentiate his business from others in the sector and has developed an effective marketing strategy. 

Sam and Lorna Robinson, Cloughbane Farm Shop, Pomeroy

Cloughbane Farm Shop and The Jungle are members of the Focus Farm Programme and as such will offer a full insight into their business operations. Senior Rural Enterprise Adviser from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Claire Anderson explained, "Focus Farms offer farm families a great way to learn about what is involved in diversifying the farm business. You can hear first hand from the host farmer the steps and stages that are undertaken to start and grow a new business. These events will also offer a good opportunity to learn about the support and funding that is available from DARD."

Rural Enterprise Advisers from DARD and representatives of South West Action for Rural Development (SWARD) will be on hand to provide information on the support, training and funding available through the Rural Development Programme for farm diversification.

If you want to join either or both of these visits, please contact John Moore on 028 8225 3412  or 077 9889 2404 or Claire Anderson on 028 2566 2823 or 079 0057 5044 by Monday 6^th  December 2010.