Join the Irish Agroforestry Forum at 1pm on Wednesday, 25th September 2024, for an agroforestry farm walk with Rossa Gibbons at his 13-hectare organic farm in Munig, Skibbereen, Co.Cork.

Rossa’s farm features both forestry and agroforestry (silvopasture sheep). Currently building a pedigree Shropshire sheep flock, Rossa is focused on producing quality breeding stock and organic lamb for local supply, with his flock registered with the UK Shropshire Sheep Society.

During the walk, you will explore various plots on the farm. The first forestry scheme, established 22 years ago, spans 3.5 hectares and includes Oak and Larch, as well as Alder and Birch on the more marginal ground. The initial planting was completed by contractors. Another forestry plantation, now 8 years old and also covering 3.5 hectares, features ten broadleaf species, including walnut and Scots Pine, and was planted by Rossa himself.

You will also see a 2.4-hectare agroforestry plot, established 5 years ago and funded under GPC 11, which includes a silvopasture system with Shropshire sheep, ten or eleven broadleaf species, and 15% fruit and nut trees, all planted by Rossa with 8-meter spacing between trees and silage/hay harvested.

The farm walk is funded by Forestry Promotion Funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.