Innovative Workshops Supporting Rural Business Entrepreneurs

‘Making your Rural Business a Success’ is the theme for three upcoming Teagasc workshops designed to meet the needs of individuals thinking about, or in the early stages of opening a rural business. The events, which are free of charge to participants, are being held as part of Teagasc’s programme to support rural businesses.

Hosted by Teagasc, LEADER, the Irish Farmers’ Journal and JFC, the workshops will encourage and give practical advice to budding rural entrepreneurs. Facilitators at the events will include John Concannon of JFC in Tuam, Ireland’s most successful rural business, and mentors from RTE’s Higher Ground programme, Paul McCarthy, Teagasc and Peter Young, the Irish Farmers’ Journal. LEADER staff will outline the supports and grants that are available for new enterprises.

Teagasc Rural Business Specialist, Paul McCarthy said: “The sessions are designed to help people avoid the common and costly pitfalls associated with starting a business. Many rural start-ups run into difficulty, not because their product or service falls short in terms of quality, but because they don’t focus on the business side. They have full knowledge of their craft or product, but all too often the lack of sufficient planning and organising of the day-to-day running and marketing of their business is not adequate. The workshops will address these issues.”

John Concannon, Managing Director, JFC commented: “Workshops like these are invaluable and worth attending as innovation has never been needed more than in the current climate. Developing new ideas and creating new businesses will be the stepping stone for many that will lead to a better future.”

The sessions are of particular interest to those entering the JFC Innovation Awards Competition for Rural Business, which has a prize fund of €40,000 and also has a new category solely for people who have not yet started trading. Peter Young of the judging panel commenting prior to the events said: “We will provide advice on how best to prepare your plan and some helpful tips on using your own personal strengths and resources to make your venture a success.”

The first of the workshops will take place at the Teagasc Kilmallock centre on Thursday, 19 November and registration should be made with Mary Lyons at 061 415922, or email mary.lyons@teagasc.ie.

The second event will be held in the Teagasc Tullamore centre on Friday, 27 November and here registration should be made with Lou Kennedy at 090 6481167, or email lou.kennedy@teagasc.ie

JFC will host the final workshop at their headquarters in Tuam on Thursday, 3 December. Karen Coss, JFC will take registrations at 093 24066, or email karen@jfc.ie

All three workshops run from 2pm to 5pm and pre-registration is essential to avoid disappointment. Full details are available on www.teagasc.ie/events and Teagasc Rural Development site