Agri Aware’s ‘Farm Walk and Talk’ series is set to kick off for its 16th consecutive year on Wednesday 26 February, with three events to be held in Week One of the series.
Gurteen Agricultural College, in Co. Tipperary, is the opening venue of this year’s series, with the Agri Aware team going to the Irish Farmers’ Journal beef and sheep demonstration farm, in Co. Offaly, on Thursday 27 February.
The team members will then finish Week One in Salesian Agricultural College, in Co. Limerick, on Friday 27 February.
‘Farm Walk and Talk’ will run from Wednesday 26 February until Thursday 20 March, with over 4,000 students expected to attend across the 15 events scheduled.
As well as partners Teagasc, the Irish Farmers’ Journal, the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and patrons, the Agri Aware team will be delivering talks and demonstrations on all elements of the Leaving Certificate agricultural science curriculum at each of the events.
‘Hands-On Experience’
Speaking ahead of the start of events, Agri Aware’s executive director, Marcus O’Halloran, said, “It’s that time of year again, with ‘Farm Walk and Talk’ set to begin.
“We have increased the number of events again this year, going from 14 last year to 15 this year, across 11 locations.
“We are going to be meeting students from Donegal down to Cork and back, across to the east of the country to Kildare, over the next four weeks.
“‘Farm Walk and Talk’ is our flagship secondary-school event, aimed at students studying agriculture science, and we are thrilled to be rolling it out again this year, alongside our event partners and patrons, for a 16th consecutive year.
“The need to promote the Leaving Certificate agriculture science subject has never been greater, and although the event is designed for students already studying the subject, we hope the noise the series makes will ring in the ears of students deciding on their subject choices now, who are in Third Year or Transition Year.
“Events like ‘Farm Walk and Talk’ are unique and give a real, practical, hands-on experience to students studying the subject.
“We are also conscious some students may not have been on a farm before, and the importance of those students getting to experience that is hugely important.”
