Pavilion 2 – Farm Business Options | 10:30am – 4:45pm

10:30am – 11:55am:-  Steps to successful diversification

Building on your land can be a huge investment. Before you take the plunge and take a new direction with your land, the most important thing is to make sure you have your planning and finances in order. Discover, from the people who’ve done it already, the best ways to approach your new venture. This panel discussion, chaired by Mary Ryan, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Tipperary LEO, will feature the following speakers:

• Aisling Hurley, Founder of ‘The Business Fairy’ – Digital Marketing Agency
• Liam Birkett, Intellectual Property and Business Development Consultant
• Cuilan Loughnane, Owner and Brewer at Whitefield Brewery

A questions and answers session will take place the end of the discussion

12:00pm – 12:40pm:- Funding and Planning for Business

This panel discussion will be chaired by Rose Mary McDonagh, IFA National Chair, IFA Farm Business and Credit and will feature the following speakers:

• Jim Finn, Chair, Irish Leader Development Network
• Marie Ryan, Senior Executive Planner, Tipperary County Council

A questions and answers session will take place the end of the discussion

12:45pm – 1:25pm   |  Bioeconomy – New Opportunities for Farmers

New opportunities are emerging which turn renewable biological resources and waste streams into new products. A circular bioeconomy is at the heart of the EU’s efforts to slash its carbon emissions while also maintaining economic growth. This session, chaired by Helena McMahon / Catriona Power, Munster Technological University (Circular Bioeconomy Cluster – South West), will look at what the bioeconomy looks like and how we get there. Panellists include:

• James Gaffey, Co-Director of Circular Bio-economy Research Group at Munster Technology University
• Professor Maeve Henchion, Head of Teagasc Agri Food, Business and Spatial Analysis
• Billy Goodburn, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)
• John Brosnan, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)

A questions and answers session will take place the end of the discussion

1:30pm – 2:10pm | Starting a Food Business

This session features a panel discussion on the key requirements and considerations for anyone planning on starting a new food business / on farm enterprise. The discussion will be chaired by Ciara McDonagh, Head of Food Industry Development, Teagasc and panellists include:

• Anita Furey, Food Technologist, BIA Innovator Campus
• Carol Griffin, Food Industry Training Co-ordinator, Teagasc
• Rob Philips, Chief Specialist in Environmental Health, Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) 
• Fionnuala O’Grady, Dairy Controls & Certification Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Milk Division

A questions and answers session will take place the end of the discussion

2:15pm – 2:55pm | Food Diversification Champions

This session, chaired by Con Traas, Owner and Director, Con Traas Ltd and The Apple Farm will feature practical case studies. Speakers include:

• Veronica Molloy, Owner, Crossogue Preserves
• Pat Maher, Owner, Cooleeney Cheese
• Shannon Forest, Co-Founder and Director of Rívesci Ltd., Clonmel

3:00pm -3:45pm | Agri-Tourism – Revitalising Rural Economies

This session, chaired by Maria Heneghan, Rural Tourism Specialist will consist of a panel discussion on Glamping, Camping and Cottage Stays: The rise in the Irish Staycation industry! A panel discussion with experts from across the industry to share top tips and insights on how to set up a unique and profitable business. The panel will use their first-hand experience and market knowledge to inspire you to think outside the box and create something which will last the test of time. Panellists include:

• Fiona Dunne, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
• Marie Ryan, Senior Executive Planner, Tipperary Co Co
• Marie and Martin Keating, Westport Glamping

A questions and answers session will take place the end of the discussion

3:45pm – 4:45pm | Adventure and Rural Tourism

This session, chaired by Alice Doyle, Chair IFA Farm Family Committee, will focus on Outdoor Events – is this the way forward for diversification?. Topics and speakers include:

• Paddy O’Toole, Ballybeg Wedding Venue
• Brendan Kenny, CEO, Adventure Tourism Ireland
• Marianne Mulhall, Teagasc Farm Business Options Co-ordinator
• Breda O’Donnell, FBD Insurance

A questions and answers session will take place the end of the discussion