Lakeland Dairies has announced a renewed partnership with Land Mobility, Teagasc, Succession Ireland, and Macra as part of the Share Farming European Innovation Partnership (EIP).

The initiative aims to support generational renewal by improving access to land for young, trained farmers, while also providing an option for landowners who wish to step back from active farming.

Share farming is a collaborative business arrangement where a landowner and a young farmer jointly operate a farm, sharing responsibilities, risks, and rewards.

The model allows landowners to retain an active role in farming and a secure income, while young farmers can gain access to land, infrastructure, and experience without the level of capital investment required for purchase or long-term leasing.

Barrier

Michael Monahan, dairy development advisor, Lakeland Dairies, said: “Access to land remains a barrier for young people entering farming.

"We look forward to working with our partners and key stakeholders to demonstrate the benefits of this approach and the role it can play in supporting generational renewal and rural communities.”

Patrick Brady, Land Mobility programme manager, added that this partnership is about "building a sustainable future for Irish farming".

"By bringing together experienced landowners and the next generation of skilled farmers, we are creating a model that supports innovation, succession and long-term viability at farm level," Brady said.

"Share farming has the potential to play a key role in driving generational renewal across the sector."

Young farmers

The aim of the project is to establish share farming arrangements between young farmers and landowners.

It also aims to provide participants with practical farm, financial and sustainability support, and demonstrate share farming as a scalable, workable model to support generational renewal in farming.

The programme will begin with a series of workshops across the north midlands during the month of May.