A five-year contract has been awarded to Irish Rural Link’s AgriKids to promote greater awareness of farm safety among children and young people at public events and shows nationwide by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Heydon said: “I am confident that this initiative will help young people recognise the dangers on farms and educate them about the risks. This will not only help protect children throughout their childhood but importantly instil a culture of farm safety awareness in the next generation of farmers.”
The AgriKids Farm Safe Roadshow will deliver farm safety themed activities and exhibits at agri-shows and public events, including a workshop zone, virtual reality area, 3D farm and an activity table where children will be challenged to identify farm safety risks.
Alma Jordan of AgriKids commented: “Our country is an agricultural one, our farms are largely family farms, so it makes sense that we include our children in this discussion and empower them with knowledge so that they may become more aware and more informed. From partaking in AgriKids events and using the resources, we have seen how quickly children pick up the message and in turn share this learning with their parents and adults.”
Farm safety ambassadors
Briain Smyth, CEO, Irish Rural Link, said: “Bringing AgriKids to the summer agricultural shows means meeting farming families on their own ground, in the company of their neighbours. Alma and her team have built something that genuinely engages, educates and empowers children to become farm safety ambassadors at home, and that is precisely the kind of grassroots work Irish Rural Link exists to champion."
The Department is providing funding of €22,250 for this project in 2026 as part of its dedicated farm safety budget.
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