National Organic Awards 2024
2024-10-17
Bord Bia is calling on the Irish organic sector to submit their entries for the National Organic Awards, taking place on Thursday, October 17th 2024.
The National Organic Awards celebrate the achievements of Irish organic food and drink producers and is held every two years in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The 2024 National Organic Awards will take place on Thursday, October 17th, 2024 in the Bord Bia Global Hub in Dublin. This event aims to recognise developments within the organic sector across seven key categories, judged by a panel of experts.
The winners will be announced at an award ceremony that celebrates the best of organic food from Ireland. Judging will take place at the National Organic Food Fair in Merrion Square on the 31st August 2024.
This year we’re excited to announce there is a new special award focused on recognising an individual who is leading by example for the Irish organic sector and will be crowned The Irish Organic Sector Champion 2024. This award will be nominated by others in the sector.
Key dates:

19th August: Closing date for applications
31st August: Shortlisted tastings, judging and photoshoot at the National Organic Food Fair Merrion Square Dublin
17th October: Award Ceremony

Autumn Farm Walk
2024-10-18 11:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin) | Ryleen, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Y34 W625
On the farm of Pat Kehoe in Co. Wexford.
Topics to be discussed include:
Housing requirements
Winter nutrition
Animal health

EU Farmbook Online Training Sessions
2024-10-22 10:00 - 14:45 | Online
EU-FarmBook are organising three online training sessions for the 22nd of October. These short but informative sessions will cover several aspects of uploading content to the EU-FarmBook, namely:
– Annotate content before uploading it to EU-Farmbook
– Different ways to upload content to EU-Farmbook
– Use the EU-Farmbook API Protocol

Thematic Group on Gen Z: Leading Generational Renewal in Farming
2024-10-23 09:00 - 17:00 | Avenue des Arts 9/bis, Brussels 1210 Belgium
This is the 1st meeting of the Thematic Group on Gen Z: Leading Generational Renewal in Farming. The event will enable you to assess the necessary changes in both policy and practice to foster greater engagement of young people in agriculture.
In the evolving landscape of agriculture, young people are crucial in shaping the future of farming and rural areas. Future farmers and rural areas must be deeply integrated, with agricultural activities embedded in local economic and social environments. Generational renewal goes beyond merely reducing the average age of farmers in the EU. It involves understanding the needs and aspirations of young people living in rural areas, who could drive the future of farming and vice versa. It is important to empower the new generation of young farmers to harness the full benefits of technology and innovation for sustainable farming practices in Europe.
Building on existing groundwork, the TG aims to explore the key characteristics of future farmers from the perspective of young people. This TG will have Generation Z as its main target group, as they are the ones looking towards their future.

Let’s Talk Trees - Nationwide Town Hall Meetings
2024-10-23 10:00 - 13:30 | McWilliam Park Hotel, Kilcolman Road, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. F12 D1W3
Are you interested in a complementary income stream for your farm?
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc Forestry Advisors are hosting four information events in October 2024. Each event is run over a half day and opens with three short presentations that include a farmer recalling their forestry experience. You will get the opportunity to talk to professional forestry staff about your own particular circumstances.
Let’s Talk Trees will include:
– Three short presentations including a farm case study
– Afforestation Grant and Premium details
– Existing forestry management support schemes
– Individual clinics with professional Forestry staff

Let's Talk Trees - Nationwide Town Hall Meetings
2024-10-23 10:00 - 13:30 | McWilliam Park Hotel, Kilcolman Road, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. F12 D1W3

Human Systems and Habitat Requirements Required for Carnivore Restoration in Ireland
2024-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Human Systems and Habitat Requirements Required for Carnivore Restoration in Ireland with Colin Guilfoyle and Dr Jonny Hanson.
Join us for six webinars in September and October. Hometree’s Development Lead Ray Ó Foghlú will be joined by experts in ecology and forestry to explore practical ideas and cutting edge approaches to woodland creation, management and restoration.
These webinars will be live on Wednesday nights throughout September and October, and will be posted later as podcast series.

Human Systems and Habitat Requirements Required for Carnivore Restoration in Ireland
2024-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Human Systems and Habitat Requirements Required for Carnivore Restoration in Ireland with Colin Guilfoyle and Dr Jonny Hanson.
Join us for six webinars in September and October. Hometree’s Development Lead Ray Á“ Foghlú will be joined by experts in ecology and forestry to explore practical ideas and cutting edge approaches to woodland creation, management and restoration.
These webinars will be live on Wednesday nights throughout September and October, and will be posted later as podcast series.

Circular Dairy Summit 2024
2024-10-24 | Naas, Co. Kildare
The Circular Dairy Summit, takes place on October 24th at the Osprey Hotel, Naas. This exciting event will feature the official launch of the Dairy Processing Technology Centre’s (DPTC) pivotal position statement, “Circular Dairy Bioeconomy in Ireland: Harnessing Opportunities for a Sustainable Future.” Supported by the University of Limerick’s Kemmy Business School and BiOrbic, this summit is a must-attend for anyone passionate about advancing sustainability within the Irish dairy sector

Agricultural Knowledge Exchange in a Changing World - Knowledge Transfer Conference 2024
2024-10-24 08:30 - 16:00 | Ashtown, Dublin
This conference will share learning from the UCD/Teagasc Masters in Agricultural Innovation Support and Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation programmes.
Session Topics will include:
– Agricultural Education – keys to unlock innovation
– People matter – the social dimension of advisory and education
– Building momentum with farmers on the climate change challenge
Who should attend?
This conference will appeal to all those working in public and private agricultural advisory and education services and for those interested in improving the processes of knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange in the farming sector.

Agricultural Knowledge Exchange in a Changing World - Knowledge Transfer Conference 2024
2024-10-24 08:30 - 16:00 | Ashtown, Dublin
This conference will share learning from the UCD/Teagasc Masters in Agricultural Innovation Support and Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation programmes.
Session Topics will include:
– Agricultural Education ““ keys to unlock innovation
– People matter ““ the social dimension of advisory and education
– Building momentum with farmers on the climate change challenge
Who should attend?
This conference will appeal to all those working in public and private agricultural advisory and education services and for those interested in improving the processes of knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange in the farming sector.

FarmPEAT End of Project Conference
2024-10-24 09:00 - 16:00 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone
Join FarmPEAT for their End of Project Conference on Thursday 24th October to learn how results-based schemes can support farming on peat soils.
The project team will share learnings from the last three years, farmers will discuss their first-hand experiences, and peatland experts and policymakers will share further insights about agricultural peat soils. We will also exhibit the winning entries from our Love Your Wellies Competition!
The conference will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. The hotel is within easy reach of public transport and parking is available on-site.
Registration begins at 9 am with tea and coffee available on arrival. The conference will begin at 9.30 am and run till 4 pm, with additional breaks and a hot lunch during the day. An agenda will be shared in the lead-up to the conference.

Autumn Farm Walk
2024-10-24 11:00 - 13:00 | Ballynasilloge, Borris, Co. Carlow, R95 C2P8
On the farm of Laurence Doyle in Co. Carlow.
Topics to be discussed include:
Housing requirements
Winter nutrition
Animal health

Call for Proposals Forestry Skills Training 2024-2025
2024-10-29 09:00 - 17:00 | N/A
The Open Call for Proposals for Forestry Skills Training is a measure under Intervention 5 of the Forestry Programme 2023-27 – Developing skills and empowering the forest sector for Sustainable Forest Management.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is inviting applications for funding for projects which support the training of various groups in the forestry sector, including forestry students in higher level education, registered foresters, and contractors.

Reframing Food Futures: agriculture and climate transition in Ireland
2024-10-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Join us for a special online summit on 29 October 2024 to discuss how we can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable agri-food system in Ireland and beyond.
Together, we will explore narratives around agriculture and food systems and how they can help build support to accelerate the climate transition, starting from Ireland’s example and reflecting on how it can be scaled and replicated across Europe.
Expert speakers will look at key themes and insights gathered from our recent workshop in Dublin, which brought together farmers, industry, academics, creatives, and other perspectives, to map and analyse the landscape of beliefs and assumptions underlying the debates around a sustainable future for food and farming in Ireland.
Speakers

Ailbhe Gerrard, Brookfield Farm
P.J. Mathews, Director of the Creative Futures Academy at University College Dublin
Laura Costello, Head of Sustainability and Planet Services at THINKHOUSE

Autumn Farm Walk
2024-10-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Curraghmore Estate, Portlaw, Co.Waterford, X91 CH28
Topics to be discussed include:
Housing requirements
Winter nutrition
Animal health

Best Practice in Milking Course - Cork
2024-10-30 09:00 - 2024-10-31 16:30 | Teagasc Moorepark Advisory Office, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Eircode: P61 C996
A two day Best Practice in Milking Course takes place on Wednesday, 30 & Thursday, 31 October from 9am – 4:30pm in Teagasc Moorepark Advisory Office, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996. The theory exam takes place on Tuesday, 12 November.
Milking Process Routine – QQI Level 6 Certification on successful completion of course and individual assessment. Please note prerequisite for attending this course requires 100 Hours Milking experience.
About the course:

The Best Practice in Milking Course is programme is developed in conjunction with Teagasc, Animal Health Ireland (AHI) and FRS Network. The programme is designed to develop your skills as a milker to ensure that all cows are milked effectively and efficiently.
This course is unique as it brings together the theory element of milking and the practical implementation of the theory. A customised DVD aids its delivery and acts as a reference guide after the course for the milker.
The tutors for the course have been specifically trained and course content approved by the experts in the area of milking best practice.

Restoring Native Forests in the Uplands
2024-10-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Restoring Native Forests in the Uplands with James Rainey and John Holland.
Join us for six webinars in September and October. Hometree’s Development Lead Ray Ó Foghlú will be joined by experts in ecology and forestry to explore practical ideas and cutting edge approaches to woodland creation, management and restoration.
These webinars will be live on Wednesday nights throughout September and October, and will be posted later as podcast series.

Restoring Native Forests in the Uplands
2024-10-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Restoring Native Forests in the Uplands with James Rainey and John Holland.
Join us for six webinars in September and October. Hometree’s Development Lead Ray Á“ Foghlú will be joined by experts in ecology and forestry to explore practical ideas and cutting edge approaches to woodland creation, management and restoration.
These webinars will be live on Wednesday nights throughout September and October, and will be posted later as podcast series.
