Waterford man named Farm Safety Community Champion in new national programme

A Waterford man has been chosen as one of just nine new Farm Safety Community Champions in a major national initiative tackling isolation and safety concerns in rural Ireland.

Dungarvan native Ned Kearney, a former dairy farmer who now works as a Community Alert Development Officer with Muintir na Tíre, has been announced as the local representative for the South East under the new Irish Rural Link programme.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the initiative will see Champions like Ned deliver farm safety and wellbeing talks in marts and community centres, while also fostering connections between farmers who may be struggling with labour shortages or social isolation.

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Ned brings decades of experience to the role. He farmed dairy for 25 years in Castlelyon, Co Cork, and now breeds thoroughbreds on a small stud farm. He previously worked with Irish Rural Link on the Farmers for Safety Programme in 2022, giving him what the organisation describes as "distinct knowledge of the issues with farm safety."

Speaking about the scheme, Irish Rural Link CEO Seamus Boland said: "The need for community has never been so important for farmers. With fluctuations in the market, inconsistent weather, and growing isolation, having the Farm Safety Community Champions will help build out our farming networks for a more connected rural society."

As part of the programme, communities will also be encouraged to set up a 'Farmer’s Haggart', where neighbours join forces to help each other with small on-farm tasks, building stronger networks and easing the workload.

Irish Rural Link hopes the new Champions will play a vital role in supporting farm families, boosting safety awareness, and ensuring no farmer feels cut off or unsupported.

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