This was the first in a series of meetings organised by Macra Na Feirme to help educate young farmers on the benefits of applying for the Young Farmer Scheme and the National Reserve for payments.

Other schemes such as the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and the Knowledge Transfer scheme were high on peoples’ agenda at the meeting.

Macra CEO Edmond Connolly and Agricultural and Rural Affairs manager Derry Dillon fielded questions on topics including how to establish a partnership with a family member, the off income level required to apply to the National Reserve and the applications procedures to get access to the schemes.

Dillon told the crowd that there will be a new farm partnership register established within “two to three weeks” and that all existing as well as new partnerships will be on that register.

Macra will host two further information meetings around European payments. The next meeting takes place on 3 February in the Talbot Hotel, Carlow and the final meeting will be in Carrick-on-Shannon on Thursday, 12 February in the Landmark Hotel.

Both meetings will commence at 7.30pm.

Register to read more information on the Young Farmer Scheme and National Reserve here.