Three-day seminar on regenerative farming to take centre stage in Wexford this weekend
From Friday, May 30 in the Riverside Hotel, to Sunday, June 1 in Enniscorthy Castle, a three-day seminar to do with regenerative farming is being hosted by Moyne Veterinary Hospital, with a very impressive line-up of speakers from various parts of the industry and country.
Regenerative farming is about restoring the natural rhythms to the soil - bringing the living layer back to a vibrant and healthy balance. This humus layer when working right can hold one hundred times its own volume of water, acting as a living sponge. In the South East of Ireland, organic matter has reached an all time low of two per cent.
According to Joe Kavanagh of Moyne Veterinary Hospital: 'Farmers have seen a huge upsurge of input costs squeezing margins, with them having to milk more cows, or grow more grain. To do this they have been pushing the land, the animals, and themselves further, with more chemical inputs, higher feed bills, and spiralling costs. This is the model that many farmers have been in for quite some time.'
"There is a new breed of farmers emerging that are taking a different approach. They are looking to reduce inputs, build soil carbon, enhance the microbial life of the soil, bring back the biodiversity in our fields hedgerows, and build a new future,' he added.
As such, the event will be a forum of farmers talking to farmers on how they can produce great quality food, with higher nutrient value and enhance the land.
Mike Walsh, a college lecturer in SETU within the Masters of Science in Agriculture programme and dairy famers, will be kicking off the programme on the Friday with a talk on maximising the use of slurry using enzymes, and harnessing the farm's potential with multi-species swards.
David Wallis, a former Teagasc advisor, farmer and coordinator of the DANU project, will speak on the EU funded project which is already illustrating impressive results. According to the study, grassland farmers reduced nitrogen usage from 40 to 70 per cent, and tillage farmers reduced it by 40 per cent, fungicide usage reduced by 70 per cent, and insecticide usage by 100 per cent. through regenerative and biological farming.t
Other speakers include, tillage farmer Tommy Tierney, beef and sheep farmer Bronagh O'Kane, and father and son dairy farmers Fraser and Jonathan Rothwell.
The next day, author and lecturer Dr Verner Wheelock will be speaking on the detrimental effects of poor food quality and how to can change it. Well known vet Tommy Heffernan will speak on the microbiome - from soil health, to animal and human health, while Yvanna Greene will talk on bees and biodiversity.
Sunday will feature Alan Poole, dairy farmer ambassador of Farming With Nature, on making a difference through enhancing biodiversity. Herbalist Silja Harms will do a workshop on how to make your own herbal salves, and give a talk on common 'herbal heros' that are all around.
The concluding speaker will be Mary Reynolds, Chelsea Flower Gold medallist, best-selling author and tireless environmentalist, on how to be 'guardians not gardeners.'
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Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Three-day seminar on regenerative farming to take centre stage in Wexford this weekend
From Friday, May 30 in the Riverside Hotel, to Sunday, June 1 in Enniscorthy Castle, a three-day seminar to do with regenerative farming is being hosted by Moyne Veterinary Hospital, with a very impressive line-up of speakers from various parts of the industry and country. Regenerative farming is about restoring the natural rhythms to the soil - bringing the living layer back to a vibrant and healthy balance. This humus layer when working right can hold one hundred times its own volume of water, acting as a living sponge. In the South East of Ireland, organic matter has reached an all time low of two per cent. According to Joe Kavanagh of Moyne Veterinary Hospital: 'Farmers have seen a huge upsurge of input costs squeezing margins, with them having to milk more cows, or grow more grain. To do this they have been pushing the land, the animals, and themselves further, with more chemical inputs, higher feed bills, and spiralling costs. This is the model that many farmers have been in for quite some time.' "There is a new breed of farmers emerging that are taking a different approach. They are looking to reduce inputs, build soil carbon, enhance the microbial life of the soil, bring back the biodiversity in our fields hedgerows, and build a new future,' he added. As such, the event will be a forum of farmers talking to farmers on how they can produce great quality food, with higher nutrient value and enhance the land. Mike Walsh, a college lecturer in SETU within the Masters of Science in Agriculture programme and dairy famers, will be kicking off the programme on the Friday with a talk on maximising the use of slurry using enzymes, and harnessing the farm's potential with multi-species swards. David Wallis, a former Teagasc advisor, farmer and coordinator of the DANU project, will speak on the EU funded project which is already illustrating impressive results. According to the study, grassland farmers reduced nitrogen usage from 40 to 70 per cent, and tillage farmers reduced it by 40 per cent, fungicide usage reduced by 70 per cent, and insecticide usage by 100 per cent. through regenerative and biological farming.t Other speakers include, tillage farmer Tommy Tierney, beef and sheep farmer Bronagh O'Kane, and father and son dairy farmers Fraser and Jonathan Rothwell. The next day, author and lecturer Dr Verner Wheelock will be speaking on the detrimental effects of poor food quality and how to can change it. Well known vet Tommy Heffernan will speak on the microbiome - from soil health, to animal and human health, while Yvanna Greene will talk on bees and biodiversity. Sunday will feature Alan Poole, dairy farmer ambassador of Farming With Nature, on making a difference through enhancing biodiversity. Herbalist Silja Harms will do a workshop on how to make your own herbal salves, and give a talk on common 'herbal heros' that are all around. The concluding speaker will be Mary Reynolds, Chelsea Flower Gold medallist, best-selling author and tireless environmentalist, on how to be 'guardians not gardeners.'
The Journal
22-05-2025
- The Journal
Government urged not to cut third-level education funding for people in addiction recovery
A LEADING ADDICTION and homelessness charity is urging the Department of Education to supply further funding for a programme that has seen hundreds of people in addiction recovery gain third level education, including rehabilitation centre residents. Aubrey McCarthy, the CEO of Tiglin Dublin, a charity that runs a number of addiction rehabilitation centres, and outreach services for homelessness and addiction, has warned that if funding is not guaranteed, it will prevent another 110-130 people in recovery from commencing courses in September. Previously the Government provided €833k allocated to South East Technological University (SETU) to deliver third level courses to people in addiction recovery, including those who are full time residents in Tiglin's rehabilitation centres. The Department of Further and Higher Education today told The Journal that that funding is to last until December, and that no agreement has been reached to further fund the initiative. Jay Bobinac, who works with the charity, said that if the funding is not renewed or replaced, it will create a 'significant gap' in the services offered to people in their care, which are essential for preparing them for the next step in their lives. The charity's annual report, released today, shows that 111 residents with Tiglin successfully completed SETU-accredited courses, including certificates in foundations of adult learning, communication, and health and wellbeing in social care practice. The service also helped people to build their CV's and prepare for future employment. Paul Killen, 60, was one of the residents who completed a course. Having struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia in the past, he had always found education to be a source of 'fear and frustration'. 'I've learned that if you give me time and break things down for me, I can understand. The more courses I took, the more confident I became,' he said. Initially, Paul was 'terrified' of computers. 'Now I can send emails, use Outlook, and write a CV. These things seemed impossible before, but through education, I've proven to myself that I can achieve more than I thought,' he said. Advertisement He now holds qualifications in Addiction Studies, Aftercare, and a Level 6 in Key Working and Case Management. Paul struggled with drug addiction throughout his life, but with the support of Tiglin, he says he has been able to tackle the emotional issues at the root of his issues. 'I finally understood my problem – it wasn't the drugs, it was rejection. I felt rejected from the day I was born. Here, I found a voice,' he said. Education has been a key part of Paul's recovery, and building his confidence. Now he feels he has rebuilt his life, and he is in employment, and has a relationship with his adult children for the first time. 'Right now, in the community, I'm not 'Paul the addict' anymore. I'm just Paul,' he said. McCarthy, the charity's CEO is hoping that future funding will be committed to, so another group of more than 100 people can undertake courses in the next academic year. 'We are calling on the Minister for Further and Higher Education to recognise the profound impact this initiative has had and to explore options for renewing or replacing this essential funding,' he said. In 2024 Tiglin expanded its overall services. It supported 220 residents in supported housing, and 134 people in rehabilitation centres. It also provided over 100,000 hot meals through its frontline Lighthouse cafe in Dublin city centre, which it also uses as a means of outreach to connect people to other services. Tiglin played a crucial role in responding to the International Protection Applicant homelessness crisis in the past year, which saw many people who came to Ireland to seek safety living in tents along the Grand Canal. In 2024, the main presenting substance issue amongst the charity's service users was alcohol (31.5%), followed by cocaine powder (24.9%) and crack cocaine (16.9%). Other substances accounted for 10.8% of presentations while Benzodiazepines were at 8.2%, and Heroin use was at 7.7%. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Mental health survey of League of Ireland footballers finds alarming trend among part-time players
PART-TIME players are more likely to suffer from anxiety than their full-time counterparts, according to the first-ever mental health study of League of Ireland footballers. The SETU review, which was commissioned by the And its main findings were 63 per cent of respondents had at least one symptom of common mental disorder, while early school leavers were more likely to suffer from anxiety. Full-time footballers were also least likely to have mental health issues, while older players were less likely to seek help. The report also showed that goalkeepers were more likely to have symptoms of common mental disorder than any other position. The PFAI have sought funding from the world players' body FIFPro to put in place greater supports for members. Read More On Irish Football LOI director Mark Scanlon said: 'This report is a welcome first step in looking into the crucially important, yet under-researched, area of mental health amongst footballers in the League of Ireland. 'As the profile of the League of Ireland continues to grow, this brings extra pressure and attention to clubs and players and it is important that we ensure that the well-being of our players is always at the forefront of any decision-making process. 'This excellent report brings together crucial stakeholders in the game, and we hope that it will be the beginning of a journey of further research into this important topic. 'We look forward to working with the PFA Ireland and SETU Ireland as well as players, coaches and match officials to help break the stigma and encourage open conversations regarding mental health and well-being.' Most read in Football PFA Ireland general secretary Stephen McGuinnness said: 'This research shows some of the additional mental health challenges faced by players in the professional football industry in Ireland. 'It highlights the necessity of the supports we already provide our members in PFA Ireland and gives some insight towards additional supports that will be needed to support players in the future. Carlo Ancelotti named Brazil coach as former Chelsea boss makes history after leaving Real Madrid 'We look forward to undertaking further research in this area.' 1 League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon called the report 'a welcome first step' into improving the mental health of domestic footballers
