Someone said to me a few months ago, “What’s the best thing about being a part-time farmer?” and I replied, “Not being a full-time farmer!”. I said it in jest, but for me personally, there’s an element of truth to it.

For one, I like my off-farm job. It’s interesting and I get to travel a little around Europe. It also offers financial security, which is essential when you’ve three children under eight and you’re building a house. More importantly though, it keeps farming in its place. I can never get too worried about the sheep when I know I’ll have to worry about the office job. Equally, farming keeps the office job in its place. No matter how stressful the office gets, I know I’ve sanctuary in the fields.

An elderly neighbour once told me farming is a disease

So, all things considered, the balance is working for me and I’m not dependent on either job.

However, an elderly neighbour once told me farming is a disease. And I can feel it slowly creeping up on me over the past few months. Running your own business is rewarding. Working with animals is difficult but enjoyable. Spending time in the great outdoors, no matter the weather, is good for the body and the mind. Apart from the financial side of things, I can’t see any serious downside.

Finances

And that’s the kicker: the finances. I’m not someone who complains that there’s no money in farming, but given the size of our current operation and the amount of time it would take to build up the enterprise, I have to admit that becoming a full-time farmer is not an option at any stage in the next few years.

What to do then? I’d like to work in agriculture but I can’t be a full-time farmer.

Agri Careers

After much head-scratching, I accidentally came across an ad for the Agri Careers event taking place in Dublin on 30 March. It sounds like a promo now, but it’s sponsored by the Irish Farmers Journal (and Open Eir), and takes place in the RDS.

I registered and will drive up on the day, but I’ve never been to one of these events before so don’t know what to expect. Being an optimist, I’ve great hopes. However, I’ll be happy if I come away with a fuller picture of the agrisector and a few ideas as to what I need to do to give myself the option of working full-time in such sector.

Kieran Sullivan and his brother farm part-time in Co Waterford. You can follow him on Twitter: @kieran_sullivan

Read more from Kieran Sullivan here.