Offaly farmer among participants in major conference on sustainable agriculture

A ONE-day conference on sustainable agriculture will take place this Saturday, September 20 in Gurteen College, Ballingarry.

Harvesting Hope will begin at 10am with a panel session on sustainability in agriculture chaired by Jim Dwyer who is the chairman of the board of governors of Gurteen, and a dairy farmer.

The session will include two well-known farmers: Offaly’s Ken Gill (Teagasc Future Beef Programme member) who farms 235 acres in Clonbullogue, and Co Kildare based Kim McCall, who manages a 214-acre mixed livestock farm in Calverstown.

Staff and students of the Agricultural Science and Sustainability degree course will also take part, giving their take on the future of farming.

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Lunch will be provided by Gurteen College, during which there will time for chats, discussion and conversations.

After lunch, the discussion will address Farming Welfare and Succession and will be chaired by Gillian Kingston.

Farming is said to be one of the most dangerous and uncertain jobs of all and George Graham, who is well known for speaking of his own experiences and how he has overcome many challenges in his life, will kick off this session.

Also in attendance will be representatives from Embrace FARM, an organisation that supports farmers affected by bereavement and suicide.

Embrace FARM will have also have room for private consultations in case anyone wishes to avail of that support. To finish this session, Anne Marie Doheny will speak about the issue of farm succession and inheritance, and the supports available to farming families to help them address them.

At about 3.30pm, after the discussion sessions are finished, there will be a shared harvest service for all attendees and participants.

Birr man Dr John Feehan, noted naturalist, scientist, and theologian, and who has written a definitive history of Irish agriculture, will give the address. Birr Choral Society will also be joining.

All are welcome, and the cost for the day’s event is €20 which includes lunch and a donation to Embrace FARM. Please book your place in advance by contacting Michael Hanna at michael.hanna4@gmail.com or 087 832 6113.