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Farm Forward initiative aims to connect generations through Ballyhoura Development

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Farm Forward initiative aims to connect generations through Ballyhoura Development. Rosemarie Fitzgerald, Clare Jordan, Carrie O’Donoghue, James O’Donnell, Juliette (French student), Aisling Lewis, Cllr Ian Doyle (Deputy Mayor Cork County Council), Aidan Gleeson, Shay Galvin – Right Side—Front to Back: Tracey O’Donoghue, Amanda Slattery, Anne Maguire, Gerald Quain, Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, Brian McGee, Louise Crowley, Aine Collopy – Middle: Hannah Quinn Mulligan and Jim the dog

Ballyhoura Development launches new Farm Forward farm succession and generational renewal service at Tory Hill Farm

farm forward ballyhoura
Aine Collopy, James O’Donnell, Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, Gerald Quain, Juliette (French student), Aisling Lewis, Rosemarie Fitzgerald, Aidan Gleeson, Cllr Ian Doyle (Deputy Mayor Cork County Council), Carrie O’Donoghue, Anne Maguire, Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Tracey O’Donoghue, Shay Galvin, Brian McGee, Clare Jordan, Amanda Slattery, Louise Crowley and Jim the Dog

The new Ballyhoura Development farm succession and generations renewal service was officially launched on October 31, at Tory Hill Farm.

‘Farm Forward: Connecting Generations, Farming for the Future’ is an initiative developed to support farmers, farm families and future farmers in planning for succession, diversification, and long-term sustainability on family farms across the Ballyhoura area.

Croom’s Tory Hill Farm was chosen as the launch location as it represents three generations of women living, working, and farming side by side; which the initiative leaders say is a living example of the values at the heart of the programme: continuity, legacy, and shared future planning.


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The new service was officially launched by Cllr Ian Doyle, Deputy Mayor of Cork County Council and will be led by Carrie O’Donoghue, Ballyhoura Development CLG Farm Succession & Generational Renewal Coach, who will work directly with families through confidential, one-to-one supports.

“I believe this service will meet each person where they are and lead them step by step towards achieving peace of mind, knowing they have a succession plan in place – or have at least started the conversation,” said Carrie O’Donoghue at the launch.

Croom’s Tory Hill House was chosen as the launch location

“I am excited to assist farmers with this process and, in the coming years, support them in areas such as farm diversification and the health and wellbeing benefits of being part of a connected network of active and retired farmers.”

 Alongside succession planning, the initiative will also support diversification pathways and establish a Ballyhoura Farmers Health & Wellbeing Network to strengthen community and peer support.

Speaking on behalf of the Ballyhoura Development Board, James O’Donnell – ICMSA Chair, said, “I am delighted to welcome this new service, which provides much-needed structured support for farm families facing succession decisions. By focusing on both the relationships and the long-term viability of the farm, it encourages open dialogue and future planning, which is essential for the sustainability of family farming in the Ballyhoura region.”

The launch was attended by representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, farming organisations, agricultural bodies, local elected representatives, Ballyhoura Development staff and Board, the operational group of the project and members of the farming community – all of whom gathered to mark the beginning of this new support service for rural families in the Ballyhoura Region.

Rosemarie Fitzgerald, Clare Jordan, Carrie O’Donoghue, James O’Donnell, Juliette (French student), Aisling Lewis, Cllr Ian Doyle (Deputy Mayor Cork County Council), Aidan Gleeson, Shay Galvin – Right Side—Front to Back: Tracey O’Donoghue, Amanda Slattery, Anne Maguire, Gerald Quain, Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, Brian McGee, Louise Crowley, Aine Collopy – Middle: Hannah Quinn Mulligan and Jim the dog
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