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  Macra in its general election manifesto calls for action for rural youth under three key pillars: Succession; Rural Housing; and Mental Health & Wellbeing. Macra national president Elaine Houlihan said “these are the priority action areas that we as the young people in rural Ireland are passionate about and want to see immediate action on. We envision an Ireland where every farm and rural business can thrive, where young people are encouraged to innovate, and where our way of life is rewarded and valued in society.” Succession in farming is a critical issue which must be urgently addressed by...

Freemount Macra have been named overall Macra Club of the Year 2024 for the second year in a row. The long-standing award is sponsored by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and held annually on the October bank holiday weekend at the Macra Rally, which took place this year in Lawlor’s of Naas, County Kildare and was hosted by Kildare Macra. The Club of the Year competition is designed to encourage clubs to be dynamic and active, rewarding their achievements and contributions at both a local and national level. This year’s competition featured regional awards, as well as an award for best...

The search is on for Macra’s Club of the Year 2024 The Macra Club of the Year and Best New Member finals will take place at the Rally on Sunday 27th October in Lawlor’s of Naas. National Broadband Ireland are kindly sponsoring this competition for a fourth year in a row. Twelve clubs are through to the final of Club of the Year and twelve Macra members are through to the final of the Best New Member competition. Interviews will take place on Sunday 27th October. Clubs will be assessed on their involvement in the club’s local community, member engagement,...

In this long running saga of the 'forgotten farmers', Budget 2025 presents the last chance saloon for this group of farmers who missed out as a result of austerity cuts in 2008. Support for the forgotten farmers is included in the Program for Government and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie Mc Conalogue has made commitments at various Macra events that he will deliver for the forgotten farmers. Macra national president Elaine Houlihan said “I call on the Minister to give his full support and honor his commitment by putting in place the necessary funding in Budget...

Will budget 2025 deliver for young farmers, Macra asks Over the past number of weeks members of Macra have been lobbying elected representatives throughout the country along with their National President Elaine Houlihan meeting with the Taoiseach. “Our asks are simple, we need action now for succession, we need to see a succession scheme to aid the transition of farms throughout Ireland, to ensure there is a next generation of farmers,” said Ms. Houlihan Macra has highlighted over the past decade the need for our government to act on succession, with the increasing age of the farming population in Ireland...