2018 was a year that had almost everything, seemingly endless rain, seemingly endless sunshine and a quick blast of record low temperatures in the middle just for good measure.

This accompanied political turbulence on the world stage, with Brexit continuing to cast a huge shadow over all of Europe, but as we look forward to 2019, we must do so with a belief and confidence only we as young people possess.

Internal changes

As an organisation, much has changed internally over the last 12 months as we focused on bringing our structures up to date while maintaining, and I believe improving, the experience for members in clubs the length and breadth of the country.

However, in 2019, while continuing to spread that governance journey through all levels of the organisation, the young people of rural Ireland will have their voices heard.

Young people are forced to leave their local communities

Every year, thousands of young people are forced to leave their local communities throughout Ireland to go to our large urban centres seeking employment.

This is a trend that must be reversed, and which if it is reversed can be of benefit to not only our rural communities but to cities such as Dublin, which are bursting at the seams.

Macra na Feirme’s rural youth committee has already begun consulting with young people around the country so that we can show the Government exactly how to maximise the potential of rural Ireland.

CAP

As the current discussions on the CAP continue, young farmers will be given the opportunity to spell out exactly the kind of tools that need to be put in place to remove the barriers to them having a sustainable career in agriculture.

While the commission proposal is very favourable towards generational renewal, the next CAP plan will be put together largely in our Department of Agriculture and we must show these officials exactly what is required to encourage more young people to take up farming as a career and also to tackle the gender imbalance in the industry.

I also believe that young farmers are under-represented in the businesses that determine a huge amount of what happens in their farming lives.

Over the last few years, our members have completed courses on dairy and mart directorship. I believe we must find a way to give young farmers the opportunity to play a decision-making role in these organisations.