Winners of the 2026 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award announced
Teagasc is delighted to announce that the winner of the 2026 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Award is Kildare farmer Stephen Morrison.
Pictured at the awards: Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry advisor, Ben Morrison, Stephen Morrison (winner), Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Communications and Digital Media Specialist, and John Spink, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme in Teagasc.
Stephen was presented with his award in Dublin yesterday, Thursday, 16 April by John Spink, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme in Teagasc.
Farming on 120 hectares near Kill, County Kildare, Stephen Morrison has an organic herd of spring calving suckler cows with all progeny brought to beef on the farm. Stephen converted to an Organic farming system three years ago.
Over the last six years, twenty-four hectares of native forestry has been planted. This along with the establishment of hedgerows, digging of farm ponds and the preservation of a unique fen has really enhanced the biodiversity on the farm.
Receiving the Special Commendation Award in the 2026 RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry Category was Mayo farmer Joe O’Neill.
Pictured at the awards were: Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry advisor, Finian O’Neill, Mary O Neill, Joe O Neill (Special Commendation Award), Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Communications and Digital Media Specialist, and John Spink, Head of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme in Teagasc.
Joe O Neill from Bohola, County Mayo, now semi-retired from business, runs his substantial forestry enterprise alongside small-scale beef production on the home farm.
He planted his first forest in 1987 which has been successfully harvested and replanted. Joe is keen to balance the commercial and environmental benefits of forestry and in the years since he has planted several new forests of both commercial conifers, and native broadleaves, bringing his forestry area to thirty-eight hectares.
On receiving his award, Stephen Morrison said; “I am delighted to win the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry award. Planting trees has been an ideal fit for the farm. I can see the brilliant environmental benefits, and I can keep my farm payments. When I have the time, I try taking a break from the farmyard to work in the forest, which I love.”
Congratulating Stephen Morrison, John Spink said: “With farmers facing many challenges, the need to forward plan and explore possibilities to innovate and diversify is central to a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. Stephen is an excellent example of a farmer whose vision and positive actions are contributing to the economic and environmental sustainability of Irish Agriculture. Teagasc is delighted to continue its rich association with the RDS Forestry Awards through our sponsorship of the Farm Forestry Award Category.”
Noel Kennedy, Teagasc Forestry Advisor said: “I congratulate Stephen on his well-deserved award. His farming story is one of successful diversification into forestry and highlights how farms and forests can work so well together to support the family farm with strong economic, practical, social, and environmental benefits.”
The 2027 RDS Farm Forestry Awards, incorporating the Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, will open soon for entries. For more updates and information on this and all aspects of forest creation, management, and training visit here