Travel and friendship have always been key elements of Macra and recently, members have had the opportunity to engage in a number of travel opportunities. Andrew Dunne, Tony Heffernan and Joanne Cushen flew the Macra flag in Derbyshire in October, joining Rural Youth Europe Macra board representative Fiona O’Leary at the conference.

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Diversification, Entrepreneurship and Innovation’. Over the course of five days, the Macra delegates attended various talks, discussing a range of topics from the challenges and opportunities in the agri food sector, creative solutions to modern problems and the entrepreneurial spirit needed to bring these ideas to life.

A representative from the Yellow Wellies Foundation outlined the biggest challenges farmers face regarding farm safety and mental health, explaining the supports the foundation also provides. The Macra delegates also visited innovative farming enterprises, all of which had diversified their businesses. The various farms demonstrated the wide range of diversification options available to farmers, some had an additional business which complemented their primary farm enterprise while others had diversified into agri tourism. Others had added value to their produce, selling directly to consumers.

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Lower Drayton Farm was one such farm, with a wide range of enterprises on the farm including a soft play area and pumpkin picking for children to an AD digestion plant. Another farm has started producing its own ice-cream, building its own ice-cream parlour and operating an honesty farm shop.

In addition to the workshops and farm tours, delegates also had the opportunity to visit the Harper Adams Agri Innovation Centre. This visit emphasised to delegates the opportunities for technology in the agricultural sector to solve problems facing the industry.

Evening entertainment included a mock antiques auction, hosted by an auctioneer who started his own antiques auctioneering business at just 19 and has since appeared on television programme Antiques Roadshow.

A charity race night provided another evening’s entertainment. Everyone got involved in the fundraising, with a few lucky winners and funds raised for a local charity.

During the conference Macra members had an opportunity to interact with delegates from Young Farmers Clubs from Ulster, England, Wales and Scotland. Delegates discussed the similarities and differences between all organisations and formed friendships which will last long after the conference ended.