We are a farmers’ discussion group based in Northern Ireland, in and around the village of Desertmartin (mainly in the Lecumpher Ward). The Group is made up of dairy, beef and sheep farmers.

We were formed in 1999 when 10 farmers from the locally based Development Associations of Slieve Gallion and Desertmartin came together. The group was assisted by input from the local Rural Connect adviser Glynnis Mills, at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (D.A.R.D) in Magherafelt and the Rural Community Network organisation based in Cookstown.It was felt to be an opportunity to develop cross community farming projects and programmes for the betterment of farming and farm families in the area. And it was also an opportunity to strive towards peace and reconciliation within the two traditions.

As a result 26 farming families put their cultural, social and religious differences aside to form Desertmartin & District Farming Group.

We run mainly a Winter Programme from Sept to April. The committee decide upon the guest speaker for these meetings. We are always striving to identify ways of improving efficiency, reduce costs, to make better decisions and applying these to our own farm businesses. But the seemingly never ending new rules and regulations being issued from the European Union and the fall in market prices is making farming very difficult. Infact much of the new legislation is slowly but surely putting farming families out of business. Many have stopped farming rather than borrow even more money to meet these "EU standards". This is no surprise when you consider that a recent survey revealed the average age of a farmer here is 55. Some of our own group members are part time farmers. Another trend is few farmer's sons are coming into the business which is very sad. There is grant aid available for farmers to diversify into another business or to re-skill but for some this is not an option.

As one farmer said "Farming is in the blood"

I wonder what the countryside will look like in the future when there are no farmers to look after the land?

Not all changes are for the better.

So we just keep on farming and try to keep down costs and make our farms more efficient in the hope that things will improve.

And we will continue to enjoy the friendship within our farming group.

The committee would like to thank Slieve Gallion Rural Development Association for the use of their premises for our meetings.

Office Bearers for 2007 - 2008

CHAIRMAN	Alfred Hartley
VICE CHAIRMAN	Micky McElwee
SECRETARY	Philip Palmer
ASSISTANT SECRETARY	Margaret Hartley
TREASURER	Pat McKenna
COMMITTEE	Paul Regan, Henry Allen, PJ Connery
	Richard Brown, Malachy O'Neill, Eugene Murray, Hugo Devlin