A series of nationwide Forestry Advisory Clinics will run throughout 2017 by Teagasc to facilitate as many farmers and other landowners as possible.
The first series of these clinics is set to take place between Monday, January 9, and Thursday, January 19.
This series of clinics will look to promote the establishment of forestry as a sustainable and rewarding land use on Irish farms.
These clinics will be held in Teagasc offices around the country on specific dates, from 10am to 4pm each day, where a one-to-one consultation with an experienced forestry advisor can be arranged by appointment.
The Forestry Programme offers landowners and existing forest owners a variety of options in relation to forest establishment with a range of grants and annual premium categories available.
Forestry can represent a number of benefits to farmers and landowners, according to the Head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department, Dr Nuala Ni Fhlatharta.
Landowners consider forestry for many reasons, such as supplementing farm income, farm restructuring or developing a retirement fund.
“Any new farm enterprise can present many questions. The 2017 Teagasc Forestry Clinics are an ideal opportunity to flesh out the details of how forestry might work for you,” she said.
Meanwhile, the current forestry programme offers very attractive payments to all landowners, Forestry Advisor with Teagasc, Steven Meyen, said.
“It is also a great opportunity for farmers to understand the requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and other farm schemes before establishing a forest,” he said
A consultation with a Teagasc forestry advisor will provide independent and objective advice, giving the landowner the power to make informed decisions on many relevant issues.
- Opportunities for farmers and other landowners under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020.
- Available grants and premiums.
- Interaction with other farm schemes, e.g. BPS, GLAS, etc.
- How forestry can improve farm income and the environment?
- How to apply and get the job done right first time?
- Harvesting and timber sales.
The forestry programme also offers landowners, who are not farming, the opportunity to avail of the same annual planting premiums as farmers, according to Teagasc.
Booking an Appointment
Prior booking of a free one-to-one forestry consultation meeting with an advisor is essential. Full details of the clinic schedules is available on the Teagasc website.
The emphasis of the upcoming clinics is on new planting, but existing forest owners can also avail of this opportunity to pick up management tips.
Farmers and landowners are advised to bring maps and other relevant information on the day to make the most of the meeting.