Leitrim Development Company is committed to helping and supporting farm households. Farming is fundamental to the economic wellbeing of Co. Leitrim. However it is difficult to make a living from farming in the County due to the nature of the land, small size of holdings and the general decline in farming incomes.

The Leitrim Development Company provides a range of assistance to farm households through The Smallholder Households Initiative. This support is provided free of charge under four broad headings as follows:

1. One to one, Information and guidance on a wide range of queries including farm assist, various grant schemes, housing grants, higher education grants, inheritance, wills, pensions, off-farm work, REPS, organic farming, difficulties with paperwork, etc.

2. Training and education supports include setting up and running various courses, including farm accounts, welding, sheep shearing, sheep dog training, computers, cookery, bar skills, food service, accommodation skills among many others. Funding is also provided to help people to cover fees and other costs of training courses and other educational opportunities which members of farm households take part in. The company is also involved in setting up and running projects such as the BMW Smallholder Skillnet which also provides a wide variety of skills training to farmers.

3. Small scale enterprise funding and other supports including business planning and mentoring is available to farmers and members of farm households to set up small service businesses or enterprises on the farm. Examples include food production and distribution, tourism enterprises, furniture manufacture, engineering workshop, construction services, secretarial services and a wide variety of other services and enterprises.

4. Farmers groups throughout the County receive a wide variety of supports (both funding and developmental support) to develop their activities and projects. Example includes the South East Leitrim Farmers Group, MED Partnership Group, Ballinaglera Farmers, Leitrim and District Sheep Farmers, Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op., Mohill Country Markets, The Leitrim Ewe project, etc.

If you would like further information on any of these activities, would like some support or are considering setting up an enterprise or developing a service from your farm contact Adrian McKeague, Rural Development Officer on 071 9641770 or adrain@ldco.ie