Supporting the transition to more climate-resilient practices on farm

Teagasc, in partnership with European agricultural experts, successfully hosted the first ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop for the ClimateSmartAdvisors Project at the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in Dublin.

Hosted from March 19-22, this workshop brought together 40 advisors from 27 countries across Europe, and was a significant step forward in empowering agricultural advisors across Europe with the knowledge and tools needed to support farmers in the transition to more climate-resilient practices.

Attendess at the 'Train the Trainer' workshop

The ClimateSmartAdvisors Project, centred on enhancing the proficiency of agricultural advisors, employs Communities of Practice (CoPs) as its core strategy to facilitate knowledge exchange and support among advisors. The workshop focused on providing participants with the skills necessary for leading CoPs, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing, and mastering climate-smart farming (CSF) practices.

Over the span of four days, a diverse group of facilitators, with Niamh Barry and Tom O’Dwyer representing Teagasc, delivered engaging and insightful sessions. Key sessions included advanced facilitation training, while workshops delved into practical strategies for climate change mitigation and adaption in agriculture, including the identification and prioritisation of relevant practices, and addressing the challenges of their implementation. The workshops concluded with sessions dedicated to planning, monitoring, and evaluating the progress and effectiveness of CoPs, ensuring a sustainable impact beyond the workshop.

Commenting on the workshop, Head of Signpost Programme at Teagasc, Tom O’Dwyer said: “Teagasc was delighted to host the 40 advisors from across Europe for this training event. It was a great opportunity for advisors to learn new skills and to meet advisors from other European countries who are all supporting farmers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Using the skills acquired, the advisors can take a lead in developing the capacity of many more advisors across Europe.”