The Teagasc Waterford Hill Sheep Discussion Group (DG) members raised their concerns about the next generation’s interest in continuing farming the Comeragh upland. Poor financial returns, hard work, and better-paying opportunities were the main reasons for their concern. A workshop aimed to address the DG member’s concerns, provide a forum for farming adolescents (i.e., the next generation), and discuss their interest in a farming career and the factors impacting farm transfer.
DG members invited 16 adolescents to participate in the workshop. The average age was 16, within the range of 10 to 24 years.
They all liked animal husbandry, driving tractors, and using machinery. Several jobs were disliked, generally dirty, physically demanding, or involved in animal health and death. 14 of the 16 indicated some interest in farming in the future. The two not interested in agriculture had different career options. They identified education as very relevant (83%) for farm transfer, followed by collaboration and communications (73%). Interestingly, one-third voted cultural significance as being very relevant. None of the participants identified diversification, innovation, and community and rural development as relevant to farm transfer.