The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will be hosting one-day dry stone walling courses during the next number of weeks.
The training events at CAFRE’s Glenwherry Hill Farm Centre will be an introduction to single skinned dry stone walling for field boundary repairs and maintenance.
Dry stone walls are durable field boundary features which will last for many lifetimes, if properly maintained, and provide shelter for small mammals, birds and insects.
While many dry stone walls have been well maintained and remain effective stockproof barriers, others are in need of rebuilding, according to the CAFRE.
The dry stone walling courses will give participants the skills and knowledge to repair and maintain single skinned dry stone walls to:
- Be stockproof;
- Maintain biosecurity with neighbouring farms;
- Comply with agri-environment scheme agreements;
- Be of a type and style used in that locality.
The training events will be beneficial for those who are completing dry stone walling as part of their Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Agreement, the CAFRE said.
Dry stone walling courses
The courses will include a classroom and on-site practical session, covering health and safety, types and styles of dry stone walls, site preparation, stone selection, and wall building.
The free one-day training events are open to all farmers, land managers or enthusiasts, and will begin at 10:00a.m and finish at approximately 3:00p.m.
Anyone interested in attending the training event is asked to apply on the CAFRE website. The following dates are available to book:
- Tuesday, April 16;
- Tuesday, April 23;
- Tuesday, April 30;
- Tuesday, May 14.
Participants must wear strong work gloves, steel toe capped boots, warm outdoor clothing and bring a packed lunch and drinks. All other tools and safety equipment will be provided.