Agri Aware has ambitious plans to double its current spend on its programmes promoting Irish family farms and the food they produce.
Marcus O’Halloran, Agri-Aware’s executive director, told its AGM last week that the aim is to reach €2.5m of an annual turnover.
The budget in 2025 was €1.2m, which represents a 250% increase on the budget back in 2020.
This has allowed staffing numbers to be increased from four to 12 in the same period. Chair Shay Galvin thanked Agri Aware’s patrons for their funding support.
He said showed their reach now extends to 133,000 children being enrolled in schools programmes.
“These are the next generation, the people we want to connect with,” he said.
Galvin highlighted the strong message of sustainability, noting “the average Irish river has lower nitrates than a bottle of Ballygowan”.
The AGM took place on the farm of Jim and Jake Harlin, in Kilmessan, Co Meath, who opened their gates for two open days last Saturday and Sunday.
Large crowds of families attended on both days. O’Halloran observed that a high proportion of families who come to such days have no farming background.
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