Irish Agroforestry Forum

28/05/2026

🌳🐄 Want to learn more about how to integrate trees onto farms for the benefits of the farm enterprise and environment? 🌾🐑

The Irish Agroforestry Forum, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Teagasc, is delighted to invite farmers, foresters, agricultural advisors, environmental consultants and students to two upcoming, free Applied Agroforestry Skills Training Days this June.

Whether you want to diversify your income, improve animal welfare, boost biodiversity, or understand the latest department schemes, these events offer practical, hands-on insights into agroforestry.
📍 Event 1: Ballyhaise College, Co. Cavan
Focus: Agroforestry Theory & Design, Support & Whole-Farm Planning
Date: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM start (Tea & Coffee from 9:30 AM)
Venue: Ballyhaise College, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan (H12 E392)
CPD Points: Available for members of the Society of Irish Foresters and the Irish Landscape Institute.
What to Expect:
Expert Insights: Presentations from Prof. Jim McAdam, Teagasc Forestry, and the DAFM Inspectorate.
Technical Guidance: Updates on agroforestry schemes, application processes, farm support payment interactions, and system design.
Field Visit: A post-lunch guided tour of the well-established agroforestry site at Ballyhaise College.
Bonus Resources: Scheme booklets, factsheets, and access to the online academy.
🍽️ Lunch is provided.
📍 Event 2: Smithborough, Co. Monaghan
Focus: Free-Range Poultry Integration, Supports, Design, & Whole-Farm Planning
Date: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM start (Tea & Coffee from 9:30 AM)
Venue: Aghabog GAA hall, Corleck, Smithborough, Co. Monaghan (H18 R996)
What to Expect:
A unique opportunity to visit Arthur and Margaret Kieran's free-range poultry farm, where a diverse agroforestry system (featuring Red Oak, Sycamore, Alder, Hazel, Birch, Beech, and Cherry) was planted in 2020.
Discover how trees enhance a poultry enterprise, including:
Bird Welfare & Shelter: How tree canopies reduce stress, encourage ranging, and protect against aerial predators.
Environmental & Economic Wins: Insights into soil health, water infiltration, biodiversity, and daily farm management/grants.
Q&A Session: Speak directly with the host farmers and experts Prof. Jim McAdam, Teagasc Forestry, and the DAFM Inspectorate.
🍽️ Lunch is provided free of charge. (Please bring suitable outdoor footwear/clothing for the field walk).
🎟️ Registration & Cost
Attendance for both events is completely free, but registration is essential as places are limited.
👉 https://www.irishagroforestry.ie/agroforestry-training-2026
💡 These events are supported by Forestry Skills Training Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise AFBI Hillsborough Dundalk Institute of Technology Agriland

Free Applied Agroforestry Skills Training Course for Advisors, Farmers and Foresters including anyone intending to work in agroforestry.Tuesday June 9th, 2026 Ballyhaise College, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan. H12 E39210 AM start (Tea/Coffee from 9:30 AM) CPD Points Available for members of the Society ...

26/05/2026

☀️ Beat the Heat: Happy Cows in the Trees! 🌳🐄

Record breaking temps! 😎

While livestock out in open fields are feeling the intense summer heat, this herd at AFBI Loughgall is happy and content. Why? Because they are grazing in an agroforestry system (grazing right under the trees!).

Why Agroforestry = High-Welfare Grazing
Integrating trees into livestock farming is a game-changer for animal welfare, especially during extreme weather:

Natural Air Conditioning: The tree canopy provides beautiful, dappled shade and creates a much cooler microclimate than an open pasture.

Zero Heat Stress: Happy, relaxed cattle mean better overall health and well-being. They can graze comfortably without burning energy just trying to stay cool.

Better Grass: The shade helps keep the pasture from drying out and scorching, leaving them with better quality forage to munch on.

This is what climate-resilient, sustainable farming looks like in action! By working with nature, we can protect our animals, boost biodiversity, and farm for resilience

25/05/2026

Interested in Agroforestry for your poultry flock?

We would like to invite you to an upcoming Agroforestry Training Day on Wednesday, June 10th at 10:00 AM, which will include a visit to the farm of Arthur and Margaret Kierans in County Monaghan.

This training is suitable for farmers, agricultural advisors, foresters and anyone interested in working in agroforestry or related disciplines.

Venue: Aghabog GAA hall, Corleck, Smithborough, Co. Monaghan, H18 R996

About the Site:
In February 2020, Arthur and Margaret planted a diverse agroforestry system at a 5m x 5m spacing on their free-range poultry farm. The site has a mix

Red Oak and Sycamore

Alder and Hazel

Birch, Beech, and Cherry

Why Attend?
This training and field visit is a practical, peer-to-peer learning opportunity with insights from Agroforestry experts Jim McAdam, Teagasc Forestry and DAFM Forestry Inspectorate. You will see firsthand how trees enhance a free-range poultry enterprise, including:

Improved Bird Welfare: Trees provide a natural environment that reduces stress and with the right design can encourage ranging.

Shelter & Biosecurity: The canopy can offer protection from both the elements and aerial predators.

Environmental Benefits: Enhanced soil health, better water infiltration, and increased biodiversity.

Arthur and Margaret, along with agroforestry experts, will be on hand to answer your questions regarding their plans on how agroforestry can help support their poultry enterprise practically and economically, daily farm operations, including planting, establishment, management, grants.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM (Tea/Coffee from 9.30)

Location: Co. Monaghan (Exact location sent upon registration)

Requirements: Suitable outdoor footwear and clothing.

Attendance is free, but registration is essential for catering and biosecurity purposes.

👉 Book Now

Free Applied Agroforestry Skills Training Course for Advisors, Farmers and Foresters including anyone intending to work in agroforestry.Tuesday June 9th, 2026 Ballyhaise College, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan. H12 E39210 AM start (Tea/Coffee from 9:30 AM) CPD Points Available for members of the Society ...

23/05/2026

Thanks to Irish Environmental Network for supporting our walks for Biodiversity week this year. Today, people were welcomed onto the Farrelly farm, it is a sheep enterprise nestled in the Fermanagh Lakeland’s, working in harmony with livestock and nature.

To enhance the farm’s long-term sustainability, numerous trees have been planted to replace those lost due to storm damage or disease, with additional trees introduced into fields. These trees provide valuable sources of pollen and nectar and offer shade and shelter for livestock. The farm also features internal hedgerows, established through laying and coppicing over 25 years ago, which have been left to develop naturally, creating a rich biodiverse landscape.

Wildlife is actively supported; bird boxes are integrated into farm buildings, and bats are frequently observed at dusk. A riparian buffer zone was established many years ago to improve water quality and habitat, resulting in the development of a rough grass margin. Furthermore, double fencing along perimeter farm boundaries enhances biosecurity, and the vegetation that has developed between the fences now provides additional habitat for wildlife.

Thanks to IAF Members Fred and Rhoda Farrelly for hosting today and sharing their knowledge and experience.

22/05/2026

Ulster Wildlife

Upcoming Farm Walks Biodiversity Walk, Caherhurley Nursery €0.00 Sunday 17th May 2026, 11:30amThe Irish Agroforestry Forum is excited to invite you to this year's Biodiversity Walk at Ireland’s only certified organic nursery featuring ornamental perennial garden plants— including 40 varieties ...

22/05/2026

Biodiversity Walk 27 Cules Road, Cules Long, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh BT94 1AW.

Saturday 23rd May 2026, 2:00 pm.

The Farrelly farm is a sheep enterprise nestled in the Fermanagh Lakeland’s, working in harmony with livestock and nature. On the Farm, you will see examples of Fred’s farmer-led innovative method of tree protection. Having previously struggled with using conventional protection, he has successfully developed a simple, more effective solution, using electric fencing, which has gained significant interest from a variety of farmers and tree planting organisations. To enhance the farm’s long-term sustainability, numerous trees have been planted to replace those lost due to storm damage or disease, with additional trees introduced into fields. These trees provide valuable sources of pollen and nectar, offer shade and shelter for livestock, and increase future timber potential. The farm also features internal hedgerows, established through laying and coppicing over 25 years ago, which have been left to develop naturally, creating a rich biodiverse landscape. Wildlife is actively supported; bird boxes are integrated into farm buildings, and bats are frequently observed at dusk. A riparian buffer zone was established many years ago to improve water quality and habitat, resulting in the development of a rough grass margin. Furthermore, double fencing along perimeter farm boundaries enhances biosecurity, and the vegetation that has developed between the fences now provides additional habitat for wildlife.

While this is a free event please register.
https://www.irishagroforestry.ie/farm-walks

This walk has been funded as part of Biodiversity Week by the Irish Environmental Network.

Upcoming Farm Walks Biodiversity Walk, Caherhurley Nursery €0.00 Sunday 17th May 2026, 11:30amThe Irish Agroforestry Forum is excited to invite you to this year's Biodiversity Walk at Ireland’s only certified organic nursery featuring ornamental perennial garden plants— including 40 varieties ...

21/05/2026

Brian Nicholson's Organic Farm in Killkenny with Agroforestry FT8 and what it may be like in the future. Brian said "just like I imagined it might be like". This is a Teagasc Sign Post Farm and the agroforestry was planted by Forestry Services. Brian's 90-ha farm, primarily focuses on sheep with some beef cattle, tillage and 19ha of Agroforestry FT8.
Broadleaf trees are being integrated to provide multi-ecosystem services including shade and shelter, protect water quality and provide a valuable additional income stream.

18/05/2026

🌱 Thank You to Our Agroforestry Ambassadors! 🌱
A huge thank you to our brilliant Agroforestry Ambassadors for their hard work on the DAFM-Funded Agroforestry Knowledge Exchange Project (supported by Forestry Promotion funding).
Our ambassadors have been visiting farms across Ireland, helping landowners design practical systems that combine trees with active farming. Here is a snapshot of the simple, practical advice they delivered:
Picking the Right Trees - right tree, right place, right enterprise and right management
Smart Fencing & Protection: Helping farmers choose the best protection that works for their livestock
Spacing for Machinery: Design so tractors and machinery can still work the land easily.
Navigating Regulations: Guiding farmers on forestry and agricultural and organic supports, and long-term land use change.
FT8 supports, application process and other tree planting measures and options.
🌳🐑


Supported by Forestry Promotion Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

18/05/2026

🌳 Free Applied Agroforestry Skills Training Course 🌳
Are you an agricultural advisor, farmer, forester, environmental consultant, or looking to work in the rapidly growing field of agroforestry? This is an event you won't want to miss!
The Irish Agroforestry Forum, in collaboration with DAFM and Teagasc, is delivering a comprehensive training day designed to give you the knowledge, skills and regulatory updates you need.
📅 When: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM start (Join us for tea & coffee from 9:30 AM) 📍 Where: Ballyhaise College, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan (H12 E392) 🍽️ Lunch: Provided and on-site field visit.
💡 What to Expect:
Expert Insights: Hear from leading voices in the sector, including Prof. Jim McAdam, Teagasc Forestry, and the DAFM Inspectorate.
Scheme & Support Updates: Information on agroforestry supports, application processes, farm enterprise integration, system design, and tree protection.
Navigating Payments: Understand farm support payment interactions and whole-farm planning.
Field Visit: An afternoon field visit to an established site.
Interactive Q&A: Plenty of time to get your specific questions answered.
Bonus Materials: Walk away with a scheme booklet, factsheets, and exclusive access to the online academy.
Professional Development
This course qualifies for CPD Points for registered members of:
The Society of Irish Foresters
The Irish Landscape Institute
This training is fully supported by Forestry Skills Training Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
🎟️ This training is in person only and not available online
Spaces are limited, so make sure to secure your spot early!
👉 https://www.irishagroforestry.ie/agroforestry-training-2026
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17/05/2026