Nationwide Series of Forestry Advisory Clinics, venues nationwide.

Forestry Clinics, 18 - 29 January 2016

A nationwide series of forestry advisory clinics for people who are considering forestry, or who are existing forest owners, has been organised by Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department. These one-to-one consultations are being held between January 18 and 29.

The Forestry Programme 2014-2020 is now well underway and offers landowners new forest establishment options.

Landowners consider forestry for many reasons, such as supplementing farm income, farm restructuring or developing a retirement fund.

Any new farm enterprise can present many questions. The 2016 Teagasc Forestry Clinics are an ideal opportunity to flesh out the details of how forestry might work for you.

If you are already a forest owner, you are also welcome to come along to discuss forest management issues.

A one-to-one forestry appointment with a Teagasc forestry adviser will provide private landowners with free, independent and objective advice, and can help you to address the following issues:

• how a forest enterprise can improve farm and household income;
• timber and non-timber benefits;
• opportunities for non-farmers under the new forestry programme;
• the effect of planting on other farm schemes, e.g., BPS, GLAS, AEOS; and,
• how to get the job done right first time.

The 2016 Teagasc Forestry Clinics also present an opportunity for non farmers who previously would have qualified for a lower ‘non-farmer’ premium.

The current programme offers very attractive payments to all landowners. It is also a great opportunity for farmers to understand the requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and other farm schemes before establishing a forest.

Although the emphasis for the upcoming clinics is on new planting, existing forest owners, regardless of what stage their forest is at, can also avail of this opportunity to pick up valuable management tips.

Clinics will take place in local Teagasc offices between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Prior booking is essential. Please bring maps and other relevant information.

This is an ideal opportunity to get answers to your forestry questions – don’t miss it!