Calling all Offaly farmers: Discover how forestry can add value to your farm

LANDOWNERS and forest owners are invited to attend the upcoming Let’s Talk Trees information meetings being held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on Thursday, November 5, and the Lawlors of Naas Hotel on Tuesday, November 10, with both commencing at 7pm.

These meetings are two of the four ‘Let’s Talk Trees’ events being held nationwide by Teagasc, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). These free events are taking place from November 03 to November 12, 2026.

The theme of this year’s event is “Adding value to your farm”.

This information series will highlight the excellent options available under the current Forestry Programme to add value to your farm and land.

For farmers and landowners considering new opportunities, forestry offers very attractive incentives to further diversify farm income, enhance farm sustainability and climate action ambitions. The Forestry Programme offers a wide range of planting options that will complement existing farm enterprises.

There will also be information on a range of support schemes available to help manage existing forests.

The main feature of the meetings will be an opportunity for one-to-one consultations with DAFM and Teagasc forestry staff with individual clinic booths available on the night. These one-to-one clinics will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss, in confidence, your specific situation and get all your forestry questions answered.

Let’s Talk Trees 2026 will include:

Two short presentations from DAFM and Teagasc on:

Afforestation grant and premium details;

How Forestry complements other farm income support measures

These will be followed by a panel discussion featuring forest owners sharing their own forestry journey, why they chose to plant and how it works in conjunction with their farm enterprise

The meeting will conclude with participants having the opportunity to engage with Teagasc and DAFM staff at one-to-one clinics.

Why you should attend

If you’re considering forestry, or simply want to learn more about the opportunities available, these

sessions will help you:

Earn more from your land through forestry grants and annual premium payment

Diversify your income and create a growing asset on your land

Hear from farmers who have planted trees and have seen the benefits

Get individual and personal advice from Teagasc and DAFM forestry specialists

Liam Kelly, the local Teagasc Forestry adviser says “that all landowners who are interested in planting trees are urged to attend these events. Forestry can complement farming, diversify income, and provide long-term financial support. These meetings will provide details on the grants, premiums, and supports available — and how planting trees can fit in with and strengthen your farm business.” Forestry is about more than planting trees, it’s about growing opportunity, income, and resilience for the next generation”.

The Let’s Talk Trees meetings will be held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on Thursday, November 5,

and Lawlors of Naas Hotel on Tuesday, November 10.

Both meetings commence at 7pm, with doors opening from 6.30pm. all are welcome.