Find out more about the world of truffle cultivation with this Irish Agroforestry Forum webinar; learn the key steps to establishment and management of truffle orchards in tempereate climates.
Find out more and register here.
Join the Irish Agroforestry Forum for a webinar which explores the opportunities around growing fruit and nut trees within agroforestry and orchards systems.
Dr. Andrew Ormerod is an economic botany researcher with a background in plant breeding. He worked at the Eden Project for 13 years researching economic, environmental, social and political issues from around the world for interpretation, artefacts and iconic plants linked to crop based exhibits at Eden He is particularly interested in opportunities linked to growing fruit and nut trees and shrubs in agroforestry and orchard systems. He has undertaken a Churchill Fellowship researching participatory research linked to community engagement in selection and breeding of tree and field crops in different parts of the world and has developed apple populations for dampler climates as research tools for participatory research projects.
This webinar is funded by Forestry Promotion Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
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Thinking about integrating trees into your farm?
Join the Irish Agroforestry Forum for an insightful webinar with Clive Bright.
Clive raises 100% pasture-fed organic beef on his 120-acre farm in Ballymote, Co.Sligo, and he sells his beef direct through his business ‘Rare Ruminare’. His livestock are a mix of traditional breeds such as Hereford, Shorthorn, Angus, Irish moil and Galloway, well suited to thrive on the farm’s species-rich grasslands. He uses Holistic Planned Grazing, an adaptive grazing rotation that gives pastures adequate time to recover between grazing events. Using ecological principles and monitoring, Holistic Planned Grazing also allows him to formulate a plan to have his animals in the right place at the right time for the right reasons. This management has dramatically increased the diversity on his farm. Working with the land’s natural capacity and the right genetics, Clive has shown you don’t have to supplement the animals’ diet if you work with nature. Clive is a great advocate for Agroforestry – merging trees and agriculture. He says, “Woodland pasture or silvopasture is the ideal habitat for livestock, providing shelter and shade and a source of additional nutrients. Trees over pasture add another level of green leaves multiplying the amount of solar energy the land captures; this enhances the mineral and water cycle and restores soil health, bolsters biodiversity and the overall resilience and productivity of the farm”. Over the last few years, ponds and wetland creation have become an integral part of Clive’s farm. He rationalises that if all life requires water, we should try to harness and cycle every drop that falls on the farm. From simple measures like making slit traps in old drains to new pond construction, holding water in the landscape and allowing it to soak deep into the soil rather than draining it away is his goal. Most of his wetland features have multiple uses, like slowing water down in the landscape, wildlife habitats, and reservoirs for livestock drinking water.
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Woodland creation & management to maximise biodiversity: What needs to be considered?
Come along to this Integrating Trees Network event and hear from Kenny Kortland, Environmental Policy Advisor, Scottish Forestry, who has a wealth of practical knowledge on how to create and manage woodland to meet your biodiversity objectives. We'll discuss the basic principles of site selection, key species to plant, integration of open habitat, and creation and management of future habitat to maximise biodiversity benefits. We'll also be joined by two of our host farmers - Katharine Lowrie, Auchgoyle Farm, Tighnabruaich and Richard Lockett, Knockbain Farm, Dingwall - to discuss their practical experiences of creating and managing woodlands for biodiversity. We'll have representatives from Scottish Forestry and Woodland Trust with us too. Join our speakers and ask your questions. Book your free place here. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here.
Your farms future: Trees an option & opportunity? Why & How they can benefit your business
Join the Integrating Trees Network for an informative and engaging evening all about how trees can benefit your farming business now and in the future. You’ll first hear from Davy McCracken, SRUC who will share his practical experience on how trees have an important part to play in the future of our farms. Our hosts for the night Andrew Adamson, Netherurd Home Farm, West Linton and Andrew Barbour, Mains of Fincastle, Pitlochry will introduce us to their farms. Sharing why and how they have successfully planted trees as part of their farm business, the benefits this has brought, as well as the process and challenges they have faced. We will have staff from Scottish Forestry and Woodland Trust joining us. Book your free place here. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here.