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Macra na Feirme has laid out its priorities for Budget 2022 which will lead directly to a stronger more progressive agricultural sector and a more progressive rural environment for young people to live and work. The focus is on both taxation and funding measures that will yield the greatest returns for young farmers. Macra na Feirme is also calling on government to honour their programme for government commitment in ensuring free access to contraception for women and girls aged 17-25. “Macra na Feirme members want to see positive change in this country and that change starts by investing in young...

This article is the second of a series of articles on mental health from our partner Turn2me All too often we listen to this critical inner voice that disciplines us, is never satisfied and it can get really tough if we don’t catch it in time. Everyone has some negative self-talk but before the constant self-criticism becomes gruelling, we should start taking better care of ourselves.  We are all allowed to make mistakes, nobody has to be perfect. But we often judge ourselves with overly critical thoughts and inner negative self-talk. We activate our body's own threat system and trigger a stress reaction. We...

This article is the first of a series of articles on mental health from our partner Turn2me Research with isolated populations such as soldiers, astronauts, and prisoners tell us that social skills can atrophy just like muscles that are not used. If you are isolated from other people for an extended period, you will end up feeling awkward, socially anxious, and unable to tolerate what used to feel mundane.  This isn’t a mental disorder; rather, it’s a collective experience of those who are isolated and it’s happening to everyone who has had a decreased level of social contact due to...

  Know Your Neighbour Month, Macra’s biggest community initiative, is kicking off this August. Know Your Neighbour Month aims to bring neighbours together to get to know each other informally. Those living in isolated parts of the country with limited access to services rely on their closest neighbours for support, security and friendship. The last 18 months have been particularly isolating for many and an initiative like Know Your Neighbour is a way to help individuals connect in a safe way that is compliant with prevailing public health advice. This year’s theme is Cuppa by the Kerb, that has been...

Irish Community Air Ambulance partners with Macra na Feirme ahead of busy time on farms The Irish Community Air Ambulance and Macra na Feirme have launched a joint campaign to appeal to all rural communities to exercise care as activity in rural Ireland increases during the summer months.  A busy silage season, increased traffic on the roads and more children moving about farms all combine to present an increased likelihood of serious incidents that could result in the Irish Community Air Ambulance being tasked to rural locations. Statistics from the Community Air Ambulance show that the summer months are the...