From Monday, 22 September to Friday, 26 September, Teagasc hosted Soil Health Week, a dedicated weeklong initiative designed to support and inspire farmers, students and the general public with the latest insights, innovations, and practical guidance on soil health. From informative podcasts and live “Ask the Expert” webinar, to farm walks, expert-led lectures, and engaging talks, the week offered a packed schedule aimed at deepening understanding and sparking conversation around sustainable soil management.
To add to the excitement, a Soil in Focus Photo Competition was launched, which invites farmers and enthusiasts to capture the complexity and life of soil in action, with fantastic prizes up for grabs. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just curious about soil health, there’s something for everyone.
What happened during Soil Health Week?
Monday, 22 September
‘Ask the Expert’ – Digging into the Soil – Live Q&A webinar
Are you curious about your soil? Want to understand more about how it works? Interested in managing the soil in your school, farm, or garden? Or maybe you’d like to learn more about soil biology—from the tiniest organisms to the mighty earthworm?
A live webinar Digging Into Soil: Ask the Expert Q&A, took place on Monday, 22 September where soil specialists answered your questions on soil health, fertility, and management.
Hosted by Cathal Somers, Teagasc Water Quality Specialist and featuring David Wall, Teagasc Research Officer; Veronica Nyhan, Teagasc Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist; Professor Olaf Schmidt, UCD; Dermot Forristal, Teagasc Researcher; Dr. Fiona Brennan, Teagasc Soil Biology Research Officer; Dr. Saorla Kavanagh, Farmland Biodiversity Researcher, Teagasc along with special guest Rob Coleman, Mixed tillage and stock farmer in North Cork.
Watch back the recording below
Friday, 25 September
Signpost Webinar – Diverse Soils with Dr. David Wall
On this episode of the Signpost Series, as part of Soil Health Week, host Cathal Somers, Teagasc Water Quality Specialist was joined by Dr. David Wall, Teagasc Researcher to discuss One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Adaptive Management for Diverse Soil Types. A questions and answers session took place at the end of the presentation, which was facilitated by Fiona Doolan, Teagasc Catchment Co-Ordinator.
Watch webinar recording below
Soil in Focus – Photo Competition
We are hosting a Soil in Focus Photo Competition, inviting farmers, students and the general public enthusiasts to capture the complexity and life of soil in action—with fantastic prizes up for grabs and a chance to showcase your work to a wide audience. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just curious about soil health, there’s something for everyone.
Tuesday, 23 September
The Hidden World Beneath Us: Why Soil Health Matters
Auditorium of the Visitor’s Centre, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin 18
Through striking images, this talk uncovered the life, complexity, and importance of healthy soil – and why it matters for our food, planet, and future. This eye-opening exploration changed the way you see the ground you walk on.
Tuesday 23 September Growing Organics Farm Walk – Longford
John and Stephanie O’Hanlon farm organically on 38.88ha in Tipper, Ballymahon, Co Longford. This farm walk focused on their suckler to stores farming system, discussing best practice and monitoring key financial and environmental metrics including demonstrations of soil health as part of soil health week.
Thursday, 25 September
GroundTruth Farm Walk – Pat and Tony Dunne, Tentoire, Ballycolla, Co. Laois
Brothers Pat and Tony Dunne are farming a mixed system of drystock and tillage near Ballacolla, Co Laois. In July this year the GroundTruth team visited the farm and conducted some simple soil health tests, including the GrassVESS, earthworm counts and the underwear degradation test. As part of soil health week, the GroundTruth team returned to review the same soil health tests. Margaret Farrell, Signpost Advisor, and Joseph Maher, ASSAP Advisor, also spoke on the day about soil health in relation to sustainable environmental land management.
Friday, 26 September
Soil Health with Dr Luis Lopez-Sangil, Teagasc
Wexford Town Library,Mallin Street, Wexford
In this engaging hands-on workshop, the importance and diversity of Irish soils (their colours, textures and functions) was discussed. The event showed simple methods to assess the soil health in your garden, school or farm.
Friday, 26 September
GroundTruth Farm Walk – Gold River Farm, Kilacloran, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow
Mark and Heather Winterbotham of Gold River Farm are farming a mixed system of drystock and tillage. They place huge importance on their soil health practising crop rotation, organic manure management and strategic soil remediation practices. The GroundTruth project team examined and discussed the soil health on this farm through some simple tests.
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