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CO-FARM

CO-FARM (Cooperation Amongst Farming Entrepreneurs)

Duration: 30 Months (November 2016 – May 2019)
LIT Project Budget: €50,106
Total Project Budget: €274,960

Summary

The CO-FARM project aims at developing a flexible training system based on Case Studies that will provide rural entrepreneurs, rural landowners and farmers with skills and knowledge to implement initiatives of cooperation amongst farming entrepreneurs.
People living in rural areas are a group that are at risk of exclusion, therefore access to vocational education and training (VET) is an important alternative for accessing information and education. To make access to training easier and in order to overcome barriers, training materials from the CO-FARM project will be flexible and available free of charges.

Objectives and Aims of the Project
  • The CO-FARM project aims at developing a fully online based, flexible training system based on Case Studies that will provide to, rural entrepreneurs, rural landowners and farmers, the skills and knowledge to implement initiatives of cooperation amongst farming entrepreneurs (80% of farm managers in Europe have practical experience only and less than 10% have full agricultural training).
  • Promoting access to and learning through the OER (Open Educational Resources) approach. Translated in many languages (English, German, Spanish, Slovenian, Czech, Italian and French).
  • Supporting digital integration in learning to reach audiences considered to be of disadvantaged backgrounds through flexible learning and unique methodologies.
  • To help develop a farmers entrepreneurial skills – which is stated to be a ‘major challenge’ in the agricultural sector at present. Suggesting the need for economic support and education and training for farmers of all types.

Further Information

Project Factsheet (PDF)

Project website

Contacts

Shane O’Sullivan
Project Officer
Email: shane.osullivan@lit.ie

Dr Pat Bogue
Project Researcher
Email: patb@broadmore.ie

Seamus Hoyne
Development Unit Manager
Email: seamus.hoyne@lit.ie

LIT Activities (Development Unit)

  • Project Co-Ordination
  • Compilation of COFARM Summary Report to highlight current status and examples of farm collaboration across Europe. An assessment of state of the art cooperation.
  • Production of 6 case studies of cooperation within Ireland, detailing the advantages and outcomes.
  • Overseeing the development of a Web-based Training app.