Teagasc Announce New Entrepreneurship Conference

More farmers are now looking outside of their core business to develop alternative sources of income. In response to this changing environment, Teagasc has organised a National Entrepreneurship Conference. The conference entitled - From Ideas to Action – aims to assist individuals who are interested in starting a new business.

From Ideas to Action is the first National Teagasc Rural Entrepreneurship Conference and takes place at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath on Thursday, 19 October, 2006, from 9.45am to 4.30pm.

An exciting panel of speakers has agreed to share their knowledge and business experience and acumen at the conference. Jim Power, Chief Economist with Friends First will set the scene when he discusses where opportunities exist in Ireland for rural entrepreneurs. Leading entrepreneur John Concannon of JFC manufacturing, who’s innovation is well recognised, will also address the conference.

Other speakers at the conference include suckler farmer, Angela Lacey, who set up a business called Deerpark Farm Services in Kilkenny, to solve farmers’ paper problems. Angela will share her experiences of setting up a new business.

Avril Allshire, from award winning Caherbeg Free Range Pork and Angus in West Cork, and Patsy Mc Bride, Watertop Activity Farm, Co. Antrim who began diversifying his hill farm in1969, will both address the conference on 19 October.

The conference will hear from Martin Eves and Raymond O’Malley. Martin Eves from Enviro Grind, a Donegal company that turns waste into profit, is a former winner of the Donegal Entrepreneur of the year competition. Well known beef and cereal farmer Raymond O Malley, Co. Louth, is involved in Biogreen Energy Products, a company producing pure plant oil from oilseed rape.

Paul Mc Carthy, Teagasc Rural Business Specialist and Joan Mulvihill, Family Centre Manager with BDO Simson Xavier will outline the necessary steps to transform your idea into action.

Paul Mc Carthy said: “This conference is definitely the place to be for any farmer thinking of diversifiying his business. In addition to the top line up of speakers, we will also be announcing the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business – a competition targeted at people who are at the ideas stage. A prize fund of €30,000, which includes cash awards, advertising and business mentoring, is available to be won. This competition is sponsored by JFC in association with Teagasc and the Farmers Journal. Full information will be available on the day”.