Discover how forestry can add value to your farm

Teagasc ‘Let’s Talk Trees’ event to be held in Mullingar

Landowners and forest owners are invited to attend a Let’s Talk Trees information meeting being held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on November 5 at 7pm.

The meeting is one of four free ‘Let’s Talk Trees’ events being held nationwide by Teagasc, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) from November 3 to November 12. The theme of this year’s event is ‘adding value to your farm’.

This series will highlight the excellent options available under the current Forestry Programme to add value to your farm and land.

For farmers and landowners considering new opportunities, forestry offers attractive incentives to further diversify farm income, enhance farm sustainability and climate action ambitions. The Forestry Programme offers a wide range of planting options that will complement existing farm enterprises. There will also be information on a range of support schemes available to help manage existing forests.

The main feature of the meeting will be an opportunity for one-to-one consultations with DAFM and Teagasc forestry staff and individual clinic booths will be available on the night. The one-to-one clinics will provide an opportunity to discuss, in confidence, your specific situation and get all your forestry questions answered.

Let’s Talk Trees 2026 will include:

Two short presentations from DAFM and Teagasc on:

• Afforestation grant and premium details;

• How Forestry complements other farm income support measures

That will be followed by a panel discussion featuring forest owners sharing their own forestry journey, why they chose to plant and how it works in conjunction with their farm enterprise

The meeting will conclude with participants having the opportunity to engage with Teagasc and DAFM staff at one-to-one clinics.

Why you should attend

If you’re considering forestry, or simply want to learn more about the opportunities available, these sessions will help you:

• Earn more from your land through forestry grants and annual premium payment

• Diversify your income and create a growing asset on your land

• Hear from farmers who have planted trees and have seen the benefits

• Get individual and personal advice from Teagasc and DAFM forestry specialists

Liam Kelly, the local Teagasc forestry adviser, says: “All landowners who are interested in planting trees are urged to attend these events. Forestry can complement farming, diversify income, and provide long-term financial support. These meetings will provide details on the grants, premiums, and supports available – and how planting trees can fit in with and strengthen your farm business.

“Forestry is about more than planting trees; it’s about growing opportunity, income, and resilience for the next generation.”

The Let’s Talk Trees meeting at the Mullingar Park Hotel on November 5 commences at 7pm. Doors open from 6.30pm.