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A new RTÉ series, called Higher Ground, follows the progress of eight budding entrepreneurs from all over Ireland. They possess innovative ideas and will attempt to diversify their business to beat the rapidly growing recession. Mentored by Peter Young and Paul McCarthy, who are experts in the field of farm business, they will be guided and advised on how to give their new ventures the best possible chance of succeeding.

The series is designed to motivate rural entrepreneurs to take an inventive approach to a new business and help them to turn their original ideas into reality. In this time of economic uncertainty many people are being forced to look at the resources they have around them and to come up with new ways of making money and building towards the future.

The mentors will provide the eight businesspeople selected with an intensive, tailored service which could give their business the best possible chance of succeeding. They will guide them through creating a business plan, set out action plans with strict deadlines, help prepare a marketing and distribution plan, advise them on legal, accounting and taxation issues and help them prepare for key meetings when seeking funding or meeting potential customers. They will arrange for the entrepreneur to visit a similar business or maybe even get hands on work experience. With the entrepreneurs novel ideas ranging from duck eggs to cake toppers, Peter and Paul will do everything in their power to guide the new ventures towards victory!

The first episode takes a look at Brian Phelan, a 25-year-old based in Monaghan who has a passion for duck eggs! He noticed a gap in the egg market over the last number of years. He believes there is a healthy demand for duck eggs, but they are too hard to track down. He originally purchased 20 ducks, but bought in 650 day old ducklings from England to build up a huge flock. You can visit their website at www.glenfinfarm.ie.

The first episode starts on Wednesday 29 July, RTÉ One, 8.30pm, and will continue for 7 weeks.

Source: www.rte.ie.