4,000 students to gain knowledge from Farm Walk & Talk initiative

Teagasc has partnered with Agri Aware for the 2024 Farm Walk & Talk initiative. With the first event pencilled for February 27, it will allow approximately 4,000 agricultural science students to put the theory they’ve learned as part of the Leaving Certificate curriculum into practice.

As part of the four-week programme, teachers and students across Ireland will visit various Teagasc agricultural colleges and research centres, as well as UCD’s Lyon’s Estate and the Irish Farmers Journal Tullamore demonstration farm.

Commenting on series of events, Teagasc Head of Education, Dr Anne-Marie Butler said: “Teagasc is delighted to partner Agri Aware and welcome you to our eight locations across 10 days and 10 events. Across these events, you will have an opportunity to meet with our colleagues and staff and hear first-hand what is happening in all the Teagasc centres.”

Watch the video below for more details on Farm Walk & Talk 2024:

Executive Director of Agri Aware, Marcus O’Halloran said: “This year, Farm Walk & Talk is bigger and better than ever, with the inclusion of one more location. This is to cater for increasing demand. We are set to see about 4,000 students join us across agri-colleges all over the country this year.

“Farm Walk & Talk is an important event for Leaving Cert Ag Science students and gives them a chance to put the theory into practice.”

Both UCD and the Irish Farmers Journal are involved and will host events as part of this initiative.

On the visit to UCD’s Lyon’s Estate, Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production at UCD, said: “Students can expect to hear about the latest research in dairy, beef, sheep, grassland and meet the researchers involved in that research. Students will get exposure to the latest in sustainable livestock production systems and all the exciting research that’s ongoing in that area.”

Students will also be welcomed back to the Irish Farmers Journal Beef and Sheep Demonstration Farm in Tullamore. Deputy Editor and Beef Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Adam Woods said: “It is one of the highlights of the calendar for us in terms of welcoming back students and the buzz of positivity that they bring around the farm on the day.” Adam explained that there will be an opportunity to meet the team behind the Irish Farmers Journal’s Tullamore Farm, who will be available to answer your questions.

The full list of dates and venues for Farm Walk & Talk 2024 is available on the Agri Aware website.