Get ready for the National Agroforestry Conference! We're excited to announce that this key event will take place in Athenry, Co. Galway on Thursday, November 13th.
Join us to explore the latest in agroforestry, share insights, and connect with experts and enthusiasts from across the sector.

Applied Agroforestry Skills Training 🌳👩‍🌾

Great day of Applied Agroforestry Skills 4 FT8 training in Athenry! Excellent knowledge transfer + discussions on innovation. Thanks 2 colleagues from Teagasc, DAFM, Forester John Paul Fahy, and Farmer Fergal Keaveney for making it a success! #Agroforestry

IAF Member Una Wycherley is on a Teagasc trip to Austria to explore organic innovation. Today's visit to see Almonds in silvoarable systems—first harvest in 2024, aiming for 700kg/100 trees. Wider alleys (21m) planned for better crop access. Agroforestry in action! 🌳🌾 #Agroforestry #OrganicFarming

Delighted to welcome the International Forestry Students Association to Killarney to visit Liam O'Connor's farm for a walk and talk yesterday. Woodland Grazing in action. Great discussion and knowledge sharing on all aspects of agroforestry including supports, knowledge transfer and practical tips.

Tree check-in time!
Lift tubes, pull out long grass
Trample grass (don’t cut).Drill holes in tubes for birch, alder & cherry 4 ventilation. Check wire guards & trample grass. Replace damaged. Record any that need replaced, FT8 Y4 90% survival needed.
A little care now = stronger trees later. 🌱

Agroforestry supports rich ecosystems! Agroforestry can significantly enhance biodiversity! Research shows that as tree plantations mature, species diversity increases. Agroforestry plots host more diverse species than grasslands.

Intensive Sheep Farming extremely vulnerable 2 high input costs. Low margins, need to reduce inputs -delicate balance - need training and support + skillset. Smart Silvopasture Design can help-enhanced nutrient cycling, shelter/shade, reduced losses, improved market opportunity

Grass-based beef systems give high live weights whilst also providing the animal with a more natural diet and environment and meeting higher standards of health and welfare. Grass is an ideal feed for cattle, Deficiencies of nutrients can still occur-tree fodder can compensate.

CROFT Teacher Emma Jayne Young teaching Agroforestry to Senior Cycle Agricultural Science students in Colaiste Mhuire Buttevant yesterday. Farmers of tomorrow!

Agroforestry leaves don't just provide shade and fodder, they act as fertiliser in a circular system. The nutrient rich leaves break down, boost soil health and feed the soil naturally reducing inputs and reducing costs.

Planting trees in your sheep system under the Afforestation Programme supports now? Consider making guards with fox wire and stakes, no plastic and allows easy management as it can slide up and down. Easy tree management and they will root better.

Snow! Tree lines and hedgerows provide shelter for livestock. If you have established woodland on your farm, it can make a great living barn, hay and silage can be fed inside it. Photo credit Brett Chedzoy.

Agroforestry shines even in January! It protects water quality by reducing runoff, offers shelter to livestock for better welfare, and combats soil erosion. Plus, it supports wildlife and boosts biodiversity—a win for farmers & nature! Winter is the best time to plant bareroot trees.