Mayo man selected champion of new farm safety initiative

Irish Rural Link has announced the launch of its new farm safety initiative focused on combatting labour and isolation concerns on Irish farms.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Farm Safety Community Champion programme will equip local communities with a representative to act as a champion for farmer safety and wellbeing by offering rural citizens an opportunity to reach out and offer support.

One of the newly announced champions is Mayo man Robert Lally.

Robert Lally's farming expertise lies in various areas such as food production, farm management, and farm consulting.

This background has given him a variety of interesting experiences in both rural and urban areas.

He is heavily involved in Macra Na Feirme, and is currently The Northwest Vice president, chairperson of Mayo Macra, and Mayo's National Council repetitive alongside holding a position on the National Agricultural affairs Committee.

The programme consists of the training of nine regionally spread Farm Safety Community Champions from various backgrounds including farming, teaching, and community mentoring.

These champions will develop networks in their regions to connect farmers to their communities, delivering farm safety and well-being talks at local marts and community centres.

To support this, a manual has been created to guide these talks, which will include resources for local individuals to learn more about the programme and the steps they can take to encourage connection with farmers in their society.

To further bolster this initiative and assist with growing workforce concerns, Irish Rural Link is calling on rural communities to organise a ‘Farmer’s Haggart’ as part of this programme.

The Farmer’s Haggart is led by a local Farm Safety Community Champion, and will encourage farmers to assist one another in simple tasks on the farm.

The goal of this is to foster local connections between farmers to further develop rural farming networks, and support community wellbeing.

Irish Rural Link, CEO, Seamus Boland said: “The need for community has never been so important for farmers.

"With fluctuations in the market, inconsistent weather, and growing isolation, having the Farm Safety Community Champions will help build out our farming networks for a more connected rural society.

"We hope to see local communities take this as an opportunity support, strengthen, and sustain relationships with and between farmers for a more inclusive future.”