Farm support charity, Rural Support, has launched a series of awareness sessions to assist Northern Ireland’s farming families in succession planning.
The ‘Passing the Torch – Planning for Generations to Come’ roadshow is a contingent of the ‘Farming for the Generations’ pilot scheme, which is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) new Farm Support and Development Programme.
The six in-person and two virtual events have been scheduled across November and December and are designed to offer support and guidance to the farming community as they navigate the often challenging process of generational transition.
The key topics to feature during the events include: succession planning strategies, legal considerations, family communication approaches, and information on support services available through Rural Support.
The Farming for the Generations programme was launched last month by Minister Andrew Muir, aiming to support farm families across the region by fostering long-term planning that enables effective, sustainable farm succession.
Rural Support
The scheme is built on a three-phased approach: planning for succession, developing the successor(s), and maintaining support for both generations throughout the transition process.
Following these awareness sessions, interested families can apply to participate in the Farming for the Generations’ pilot.
60 farming families will be selected as part of the pilot scheme, who will be guided to create a comprehensive succession plan, conduct a farm business review, and develop a personal development plan tailor made for their success.
This support will also cover management and leadership responsibilities, legal inheritance, and other essential skills needed for a seamless transition.
In recognition of the fact that not all farm businesses have identified a clear successor within the family, the scheme will also facilitate connections for farmers seeking alternative succession arrangements.
This includes exploring partnership opportunities with new entrants or other farming businesses to allow for continued use of farm assets such as land and other essential resources.
In addition to succession planning, the programme will provide structured incentives and highlight critical legal and accountancy aspects of farm succession, to ensure families have clear guidance in these areas.
The workshops are free to attend and will take place approximately 7:30p.m on the following dates and locations:
- Monday, December 2 – La Mon House Hotel, Belfast
- Tuesday, December 3 – Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown
- Wednesday, December 4 – Glarryford Farmers Hall
- Thursday, December 5 – Westville Hotel, Enniskillen
- Monday, December 9 – 8:00p.m online
- Tuesday, December 10 -1:00p.m online
CEO of Rural Support, Kevin Doherty, highlighted the importance of this initiative for the sector: “Succession planning is a critical part of ensuring the resilience of our farm sector.
“We recognise the unique challenges and stresses that accompany these conversations, and we are committed to providing resources to help farm families navigate this process in a way that supports both their well-being and the continued success of their businesses.”
