Teagasc Launches 2026 Farm Business Options Programme at National Ploughing Championships – Empowering Farmers to Innovate and Diversify
Teagasc has launched its 2026 Farm Business Options Training Programme, at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly. This highly anticipated programme is designed to inspire and equip farmers and farm families with the tools, knowledge, and networks to explore new business opportunities and diversify their enterprises.
Pictured from left to right: Professor Frank O’Mara, Director, Teagasc; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD; Jack Coppinger, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc; Eimear Hughes; Wendy Conlon, Teagasc; and Liam Herlihy, Chairperson, Teagasc.
The training programme, delivered in collaboration with Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and other support organisations, offers practical, locally relevant workshops across the country. These workshops are tailored for those looking to improve farm income or branch into exciting new ventures such as renewable energy, artisan food production, organic farming, rural tourism, and more.
The 2026 programme builds on the success of previous years, with an expanded range of topics, new field visits, and enhanced networking opportunities. Participants will gain hands-on guidance in business planning, learn from guest farmers who have successfully diversified, and connect with mentors and agencies that provide ongoing support.
Speaking at the launch of Farm Business Options 2026, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said: “I am delighted to launch the Teagasc Farm Business Options 2026 Programme, a vital initiative that empowers farmers and their families to explore new possibilities, diversify their enterprises, and contribute to the continued development of rural Ireland. This programme highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration in ensuring the sustainability of Irish agriculture, by providing farmers and family members with access to expert guidance, practical workshops, and essential networks, Teagasc is equipping our farming community with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. I encourage all farmers to take advantage of this transformative programme and play a key role in shaping the future of rural Ireland.”
Kevin Connolly, Acting Head of Farm Management and Rural Development at Teagasc, emphasised the importance of the programme: “The Farm Business Options Programme is a cornerstone of Teagasc’s mission to empower farmers to innovate and thrive. These workshops are not just about diversification, they are about unlocking potential, sparking creativity, and building a resilient rural economy. For anyone with entrepreneurial ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to take the first step toward turning those ideas into reality.”
A Catalyst for Rural Innovation
Teagasc Energy and Rural Development Specialist, Barry Caslin, highlighted the transformative impact of the programme: “This is more than just training, it’s a movement to drive rural innovation and sustainability. By connecting farmers with the right resources, mentors, and networks, we are helping them create meaningful change in their businesses and communities. The energy and enthusiasm we have seen from participants in previous years have been incredible, and we are excited to see what 2026 will bring.”
Why Attend?
– Hear from farmers who have successfully diversified their enterprises.
– Gain insights into business planning, funding opportunities, and market research.
– Build connections with industry experts, mentors, and local business support agencies.
– Workshops are designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in rural Ireland.
Programme Highlights
– Workshops and events will take place nationwide, covering a wide range of topics, including:
– Renewable energy and agroforestry
– Artisan food production and market gardening
– Rural tourism and social farming
– Organic farming and rewilding smallholdings
For a full list of dates and locations, visit the Farm Business Options Programme page at:
Join the Movement
Attendance at these workshops is free, but spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Whether you’re looking to diversify your farm, explore new income streams, or simply learn more about the possibilities, the Farm Business Options Programme is your gateway to success.
Barry Caslin concluded:
” This programme is about more than just improving farm income it is about creating a vision for what can be done on your farm. Teagasc is here to help farmers or family members by linking them with rural actors and organisations, building the connections needed to create pathways for developing new business enterprises in rural areas. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something truly transformative.”
For more information or to express interest in courses in your area, visit:
https://teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-development/options-programme/
Teagasc – Supporting Farmers, Driving Innovation, Building the Future.
| Facilitators | Event/Workshop Title | Date(s) | Time | Location |
| Colin Brennan (Kilkenny) | Farm Walk – Making Every Acre Pay: Agroforestry, Organics | 22nd September 2026 | 6pm – 8pm | Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, E41 RT66 |
| Anne O’Malley (Mayo) | Two-Day Farm Diversification Workshop | 30th Sept & 1st Oct 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Park Hotel Kiltimagh, Co Mayo
F12 NY17 |
| Peter Doolan / Philip Brady (Meath) | Farm Diversification – Assessing your idea | 30th September 2026 | 7pm – 9pm | Teagasc Navan, Co Meath
C15 NR79 |
| Peter Doolan / Colm Barry (Louth) | Agri-Tourism and Social Farming Opportunities | 7th October 2026 | 7pm – 9pm | Teagasc Dundalk, Co Louth
A91 PVW4 |
| Seamus Lordon / Aine O Riordan (Cork West) | Agri Food and Tourism | 13th & 20th October 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, Co Cork |
| Peter Doolan (Dublin) | Rural Tourism Field Visit to North County Dublin | 14th October 2026 | 11am – 2pm | North County Dublin (Field Visit) |
| John Conway (Cavan/Monaghan) | Innovation, Sustainability, & diversification opportunities for farmers and farm enterprises | 20th October & 3rd November 2026 | 6.30pm – 9pm | Mtek building, Armagh Road, Co Monaghan
H18 ET82 |
| Philip Brady
(Meath) |
Forestry and Organic Farming | 21st October 2026 | 7pm – 9pm | Teagasc Navan, Co Meath
C15 NR79 |
| Peter Doolan / Colm Barry
(Louth) |
Market Gardening, Beekeeping & Rewilding Smallholdings | 28th October 2026 | 7pm -9pm | Teagasc Drogheda,
Co Louth A92 D993 |
| Paul Rigney
(Sligo) |
Farm Diversification
Course |
29th October 5th, 12th & 19th November | 7pm – 9pm | Teagasc Office, Ballymote, Co Sligo
F56 A585 |
| Eimear Hughes (Galway) | Two-Day Farm Diversification Workshop | 3rd & 4th November 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry
Co Galway H65 R718 |
| Sean Cooney (Tipperary) | Opportunities for Farm Diversification | 3rd & 10th November 2026 | 7pm – 9pm | Teagasc, Castlemeadows, Thurles, Co Tipperary
E41 AK40 |
| Seamus Campbell (Donegal) | Farm Diversification Course | 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th November 2026 | 7:30pm – 9:30pm | Teagasc Carnamuggagh, Letterkenny Office, Co Donegal
F92 VE89 |
| Bernard Doorley (Offaly) | Farm Business Options – back to basics 1 to 1 appointments: idea assessment and development | 11th November 2026 | 11am – 4pm | Teagasc Clonminch, Tullamore, Co Offaly
R35 TP60 |
| Padraig Fitzgerald (Limerick) | Three-Day Farm Business Options | 11th, 18th & 25th November 2026 | 7pm – 10pm | Teagasc, Gortboy, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick.
V42DY03 |
| Alan O’Brien
(Longford) |
Farm Diversification Course | 17th November 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Teagasc, Longford Town Centre, Longford
N39T180 |
| Bernard Dooley
(Laois) |
Farm Business Options – back to basics 1 to 1 appointments: idea assessment and development | 18th November 2026 | 11am – 4pm | Teagasc Office, 1 Park Villas, Portlaoise, Co Laois
R32CF21 |
| Peter Mullan
(Leitrim) |
Farm Business Options | 20th November 2026 | 9.30am – 5pm | Teagasc Office, Sligo Road, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim
F91DXE1 |
| Bernard Dooley
(Kildare) |
Farm Business Options – back to basics 1 to 1 appointments: idea assessment and development | 25th November 2026 | 11am – 4pm | Teagasc, Friary Road, Naas, Co Kildare
W91HP38 |
| Martina Enright
(Clare) |
Two-Day Farm Diversification Training | 3rd & 4th December 2026 | 10am – 3:30pm | Teagasc, Station Road, Ennis, Co Clare.
V95 R889 |
| David Trant
(Kerry) |
Opportunities for Farm Diversification | 2nd December 2026 | 10:30am – 4pm | Teagasc Clieveragh, Listowel, Co Kerry
V31N971 |
| David Trant
(Kerry) |
Exploring Rural Diversification | 3rd December 2026 | 10:30am – 4pm | St. Senan’s Community Hall, Mountcoal, Listowel, Co Kerry |
| Michael Bourke
(Cork East) |
Farm Diversification Course | 8th & 10th December 2026 | 10am – 4pm | Teagasc Moorepark Local Advisory Office, Fermoy, Co Cork
P61C996 |
| Catherine Colfer (Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford) | Farm Diversification Course | TBC | TBC | TBC |
End