2027 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award now open
Teagasc is delighted to announce the recent opening of the 2027 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, recognising farmers who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation to successfully integrate their farm and forestry enterprises. Noel Kennedy tell us more.
Farming and forestry can complement each other in many ways to drive farming and wider sustainability. This integrated approach is at the heart of the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award. The call for entries for the 2027 Award is now open and will close on Friday 9th October 2026.
The 2027 Award winner will receive €3,000 and an RDS Silver Medal with a prize of €1,200 and an RDS Certificate of Merit for the runner-up.
The Teagasc Farm Forestry Award Category aims to promote the positive sustainable contribution of forestry as an integral enterprise within the wider active farming profile. It acknowledges the farmer’s role in actively managing the forest and promoting farm forestry as a key underpinning of wider farming sustainability encompassing sound commercial management, environmental protection and encouragement of biodiversity.
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award – Eligibility criteria for entries include:
- Open to working farmers, integrating farming and forests
- Applications can include conifer, broadleaf, agroforestry or reforestation sites
Meet Stephen Morrison, winner of 2026 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
Farming on 120 hectares near Kill, Co. Kildare, Stephen Morrison has an organic herd of spring calving suckler cows with all progeny brought to beef on the farm. Over the last six years, he has planted 24 hectares of new native forests bringing a range of practical, environmental and sustainability benefits to his suckler enterprise, wellness enterprise and farm as a whole.
The RDS forestry judges were impressed by how Stephen’s farming story of successful diversification into forestry highlights how farms and forests can work so well together to support the family farm with strong economic, practical, social and environmental benefits.
Stephen’s award winning forest was the location for recent well attended forestry management walk, co-ordinated by local Teagasc forestry advisor Liam Kelly.
Commenting on the launch of the awards Tom Houlihan, Acting Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department said: “Teagasc is again delighted to be associated with the RDS Forestry Awards through our sponsorship of the Farm Forestry Award Category. Teagasc works closely with many farmers and landowners in supporting the integration of well-planned and actively managed forests as a valuable enterprise within the overall farming mix.”
The 2027 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award is your opportunity to be recognised for your farming and forestry achievements.
How to apply
To apply, simply download the Teagasc Farm Forestry Award application form, or for more information contact your local Teagasc forestry adviser
Closing date for entries is Friday 9th October 2026
The winners of the RDS Forest and Woodland Awards will be announced in April 2026 at an awards ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall.
For more information about the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award talk to your local Teagasc forestry adviser. Their contact details can be found at www.teagasc.ie/forestrystaff.
2026 RDS Forest and Woodland Awards are Ireland’s national forestry awards, they recognise and reward farmers and woodland owners who are employing the principles of climate-smart agriculture on their properties including
Other RDS Forestry Award categories also open for applications are:
- The Silvicultural Excellence and Innovation Award
- The Community Woodland Award
- Native Woodland Establishment Award