According to best-selling American novelist Susan Orlean: “Living in a rural setting exposes you to so many marvellous things, the natural world and the particular texture of small-town life, and the exhilarating experience of open space.”

The same can almost be said about this month’s theme for the Macra Rural Youth Calendar, which celebrates all things rural.

The month kicked off with a call-out to members to share pictures of their surroundings within their 5km restriction. Perhaps if there is one advantage of the current lockdown, it is that it gives us the time to appreciate the beautiful scenery around us, that we took for granted for so long.

The Rural Youth Committee also polled members to see which historical and cultural locations in Ireland they visited the most.

This month will also see society marking the contribution of women through International Women’s Day. To celebrate, the Rural Youth Committee, in association with Acorns, held a session for Macra members on Monday last. Acorns is a really constructive and enjoyable programme for women starting a business – for more information, check out www.acorns.ie.

On 12 March last year, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told us “we will have a St Patrick’s Day like no other”.

This year, despite the uncertain nature of the current global pandemic, the Rural Youth Committee wants Macra members to submit their St Patrick Day pictures or videos for inclusion in the Macra Na Feirme virtual parade. All submissions will then be entered into a draw.

Deadline for submissions is close of business on Thursday 11 March – please send all entries to ddonnelly@macra.ie.

The Rural Youth Committee is also planning a webinar on rural living towards the end of the month. Details will be released closer to the time.

The Rural Youth Committee would like to acknowledge the work of head office staff Debbie Donnelly, Rachel Murphy and Lisa Reidy in helping to make this month’s theme possible.

Young farmer specials continue

The next young farmer half-hour special kicks off on 11 March at 8pm with Alison Graham of ICOS.

Alison will present on the farm-to-fork strategy. After her presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and then to break out into groups to discuss what was learned.

In Farm 2 Fork: Under the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, which was published in May 2020, the European Commission proposed a number of changes to EU labelling legislation regarding animal welfare, nutritional information and place of origin.

Find the registration link in the events section of the Macra na Feirme website at www.macra.ie.