Let’s Talk Trees meetings kick off in Ballinasloe

The Let’s Talk Trees series of forestry information meetings kicked off last Tuesday evening in Ballinasloe with a great turnout of farmers, landowners and forest owners wishing to learn more about the opportunities to plant trees and other supports under the national forestry programme. Noel Kennedy, Teagasc forestry adviser tells us more.

The ‘Let’s Talk Trees’ series is organised by Teagasc in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Minister of State for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae T.D., hosted this week’s two events: last Tuesday in Ballinasloe and yesterday’s meeting in Killarney. He will also host the two remaining Let’s Talk Trees events in Navan and Kilkenny, taking place on November 4 and 11 respectively.

In Ballinasloe, Minister Healy-Rae welcomed attendees and in his opening address recounted his positive personal experience with forestry and how today, more than ever, planting trees was an important environmental, practical and financial opportunity for all landowners and especially for farmers.

Two short informative presentations followed with Seppi Hona, DAFM, outlining the attractive supports available to plant a range of forest types under the Afforestation scheme and Noel Kennedy, Teagasc, discussing how forestry and farming can be a win-win for farmers in the context of a successful whole farm planning approach.

This was followed by a fascinating conversation between the Minister and Fergal Keaveney, a Galway forest owner, about his journey to planting a new forest in 2024. The conversation highlighted the importance of the decision-making process and the value of setting clear objectives before planting.

Speakers at the Ballinasloe Let’s Talk Trees event (Right to left) Robert Mooney (Head of Forestry Division, DAFM), Seppi Hona, Regional Forestry Inspector, DAFM, Minister of State, Michael Healy-Rae, T.D., Fergal Keaveney, local forest owner and Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry Advisor.

A Q&A session saw good audience and panel interaction with lively discussion on a range of topics including some of the current challenges facing forest owners.

The final part of the meeting which provided attendees with a valuable opportunity to talk to the Teagasc and DAFM staff on a confidential, one-to-one basis proved popular with all advisers busy dealing with individual landowners’ specific queries and offering follow-up support if needed.

A further well-attended Let’s Talk Trees meeting followed in Killarney on Thursday, October 23.

There’s still an opportunity to attend a Let’s Talk Trees meeting in your area.

Remaining Let’s Talk Trees meetings – dates and locations

• Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath, C15 CY9A | Tuesday, November 4 | 7pm
• Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, R95 KP63 | Tuesday, November 11 | 7pm

For more details, visit Teagasc Forestry, or contact your local Teagasc forestry advisor.