NATIONAL Cultivate Week will see three West Cork Credit Unions host events to celebrate farmers and the role they play in their communities across the region.

Access, Bantry and Macroom Credit Unions will each mark National Cultivate Week (April 20th to 26th) will hold a variety of events which will be flagged on their websites and social media pages in coming weeks.

Since joining Cultivate, Bantry, Macroom and Access CUs have supported farming families across West Cork with flexible, affordable farm finance.

Cultivate Week comes at a busy time on the land.

Spring grazing is underway, breeding season is around the corner, and many farmers are weighing up what investment is needed in the months ahead, from machinery upgrades to building improvements to managing cash flow through the season.

Cultivate is the national credit union farm loan brand. Under this brand, credit unions provide short to medium-term loans for farming members, from every day running costs to bigger investments in the farm.

Seamus Hogan, ceo of Macroom Credit Union, said: ‘National Cultivate Week is about recognising the work Irish farmers put in, day in, day out, and showing that credit unions are with them every step of the way.

‘Whether it’s a new bulk tank, a shed extension, a run of fencing, or working capital to bridge the gap between seasons, Cultivate is designed to support farmers at every stage.’

Access Credit Union ceo Tony Hughes explained: ‘Cultivate loans are designed around the realities of farm life, offering flexibility, speed, and a genuinely personal service.

‘More and more farmers are choosing their local credit union for farm finance, and that’s something we’re very proud of. We look forward to welcoming farmers to events in our three credit unions during National Cultivate Week.’

Bantry Credit Union ceo Finbarr O’Shea added: ‘First launched in Galway in 2017, Cultivate grew in a few short years to be the national credit union farm loan offering. Its network of participating credit unions and the volumes of loans being issued continue to grow year on year.

‘This success is based on traditional credit union features: quick approvals, a personal service from people who care, flexible repayments that work around farm income, and no hidden fees.’