Latest news with #AgriAware
Agriland
3 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Meet Agri Aware's Open Farm hosts in Co. Kildare and Co. Galway
Agri Aware is delighted to announce that its Open Farm event is coming to two counties in June 2025, one on Saturday, June 14 and another on Sunday, June 15. Open Farm is Agri Aware's flagship event in educating the general public on Irish agriculture and food production by opening up the gates of family-run Irish farms. This free immersive farming experience allows visitors of all ages and backgrounds to connect with the land, animals, and producers who play a vital role in the farm-to-fork process. Open Farm is returning to Co. Kildare once again in 2025 after its success in 2024, with this year's event taking place on Joe and Kevin Doran's dairy farm in Donadea. The Dorans milk a herd of pedigree Holstein Friesian cows and are liquid milk suppliers – which provides the opportunity to showcase consumers exactly where the milk they purchase and consume in the supermarket originates from. The Kildare Open Farm event is taking place on Saturday, June 14. Kevin Doran said that the opportunity to host the Agri Aware Open Farm Day was one of pride for him and his family. He said: 'When I was first approached about hosting Open Farm, I immediately said yes. 'We are passionate as a family in what we do here in terms of producing a sustainable top-quality product with, first and foremost, the welfare of our animals being the top priority. 'To be able to showcase this to both primary school students and the general public as part of Agri Aware's Open Farm is one of excitement for us as a family that we are looking forward to.' The second Open Farm event is taking place for the first time in Co. Galway on the farm of Aonghusa Fahy and family in Ardrahan. Aonghusa operates a suckler-to-beef enterprise, bringing all cattle to finish on a grass-based system. The west of Ireland is synonymous for suckler beef production and Aonghusa is a top example of a farmer producing top-quality livestock whilst implementing technology and practices that are not only making his farm more efficient and profitable but, as importantly, more sustainable. From blooming hedgerows to eye-catching stone walls, the Fahys' farm typifies suckler farming in the west of Ireland and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase to the general public how top-quality beef is produced off a grass-based system. Speaking about hosting the inaugural Open Farm event in Co. Galway this year, Aonghusa said: 'As generations pass, the connection between food and its origins is increasingly being lost, even in rural communities. 'We take immense pride in what we do, from the care we give our animals to the quality of food we produce. 'Through Open Farm, we want to share our story and show the public how we're farming sustainably for the future.' The Co. Galway Open Farm event is taking place on Sunday, June 15. Both events will run from 10:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. All are welcome!
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Programme for TY students provides pathway into agriculture
Agri Aware, in partnership with the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) has officially launched its Intro to AG programme for transition year students. The launch of the programme took place at LOETB's Midlands Skills Centre in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, alongside LOETB schools that took part in the pilot programme during the academic year. Local TDs and councillors were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the programme. Students showcased the projects they created as part of their learning, with a wide array of projects on display covering topics from challenges facing the agri-food sector to farm safety. The winners of the Intro to Ag programme were Jack Hyland, Conor O'Shea, Lennon Conroy and Jack Kelly from Clonaslee College, with their project titled 'Issues in Agriculture'. TY students The aim of the Intro to Ag programme is to encourage more students to study agricultural science for the Leaving Certificate and to pursue a career in the industry. It is also an effort to future proof the sector that has a growing demand for agricultural science graduates to take on a variety of roles across the industry. The programme gives students a flavour of what to expect when studying the subject for the leaving certificate and offers an insight into career opportunities in the sector. It also provides a pathway to guide the next generation of students towards careers in agriculture and food production. It supports them at an important stage in their education, when they are making decisions on subject choices and exploring potential career paths. The executive director of Agri Aware, Marcus O'Halloran said: 'The pilot of the Intro to Ag programme has been a huge success and it was capped off with a brilliant day with everyone who has been a critical cog in the development of the programme. 'Congratulations to the winners of the programme Clonaslee College and to all the schools who took part in the programme's pilot.' 'We look forward to seeing you back in the programme next year. Agri Aware is delighted to launch the Intro to Ag programme in partnership with the LOETB and look forward to welcoming students to the programme in September 2025,' O'Halloran added.
Agriland
23-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Agriland partners with Agri Aware for Open Farm events
Agriland Media Group is delighted to partner with Agri Aware as the official media partner for its flagship Open Farm events which will take place in two counties this year. The agri-food educational body will return to Co. Kildare, along with a brand-new Open Farm experience in Co. Galway. Open Farm is the major part of Agri Aware's mission of enhancing agricultural literacy, giving the public and schoolchildren a unique opportunity to experience a working Irish farm firsthand and understand the journey of food from farm to fork. Open Farm is a free-of-charge event with gates open to the public from 10:30a.m to 5:00p.m on both days. Education and communications officer with Agri Aware, Michael Geary said: 'Agri Aware is delighted to partner with Agriland Media for Open Farm 2025. Education and communications officer with Agri Aware, Michael Geary (left) and Cormac Farrelly, managing director, Agriland Media Group 'Although targeted at the non-farming community, the importance of the farming community understanding the role Agri Aware plays in communicating the work primary producers do in producing top-quality food while caring for the environment is critical. 'Open Farm provides a unique opportunity to get consumers onto Irish farms and showcase the best of Irish agriculture. 'This opportunity to partner with Agriland Media will be of critical importance to educate and inform our target audience, the general public, and also primary producers and the agri-food sector as a whole of the work Agri Aware carries out to enhance agricultural literacy. ' Managing director of Agriland Media Group, Cormac Farrelly said: 'At a time when many consumers would state that they do not have an association with farming anymore, it's never been more important to educate young people about where their food comes from. 'It's equally important to highlight the importance of farming for our economy and society and inform the wider public to allow them to make healthy and sustainable food choices. 'As Ireland's largest agricultural digital news publisher, we are delighted to be partnering with Agri Aware for these important events to generate understanding of agriculture to the widest possible audience.' Agri Aware The Kildare Open Farm will be hosted on the Doran family dairy farm in Donadea (W91 DH99). On Thursday, June 13, the farm will welcome over 800 primary school students from Kildare and Dublin for a dedicated schools day. Students will explore how dairy products are made, learn about sustainable farming practices, and develop a deeper appreciation for where the food they consume comes from. On Saturday, June 14, the farm will open to the general public for an educational and interactive day out for all ages. There will be self-guided tours for visitors, a mini-farm village, food demonstrations, kids' games, and the chance to speak with the Dorans about how they care for their animals and the environment.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
How farming works – New ‘open experience' coming to Galway showcasing life on the farm
Agri Aware's Open Farm event is kicking off this June in two counties, Kildare and a brand-new Open Farm experience in Galway. Open Farm is the flagship event in Agri Aware's mission of 'enhancing agricultural literacy', hoping to give the public and schoolchildren a unique opportunity to experience a working Irish farm first hand and understand the journey of food from farm to fork. Making its debut this year, the Galway Open Farm will be hosted by Aonghusa Fahy on his beef farm in Ardrahan. The schools day will take place on Thursday, June 12, followed by the public open farm day on Sunday, June 15. Students and the general public will have the opportunity to engage directly with the Fahy's, see modern beef farming in action, and understand the vital role Irish beef farms play in producing high-quality food sustainably. Speaking at the launch of Open Farm 2025, Agri Aware Chairman Shay Galvin said: 'We are delighted to announce the return of Open Farm after the success last year. Bridging the gap between producers and consumers remains a key challenge, but it's one we are committed to addressing. Open Farm gives us a unique opportunity to connect people directly with the farms that produce their food. We're especially looking forward to welcoming schools on Thursday, followed by the public open days in Galway and Kildare over the weekend. Our sincere thanks go to the Doran and Fahy families for generously opening their farms. Thanks to them, visitors will get to see first-hand how Irish food is produced sustainably, with care and dedication.' Galway host farmer Aonghusa Fahy said: 'As generations pass, the connection between food and its origins is increasingly being lost, even in rural communities. We take immense pride in what we do, from the care we give our animals to the quality of food we produce. Through Open Farm, we want to share our story and show the public how we're farming sustainably for the future.' Open Farm is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Dairy Council, the Irish Farmers' Association, Tirlán, Our Food Connects, ABP, Teagasc, Kildare Milk Producers Group and the Fresh Milk Producers Group. Agri Aware has teamed up with Agriland Media as the official media partner for Open Farm for 2025.
Agriland
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Agriland
Agri Aware Open Farm 2025 to take place in 2 counties
Agri Aware has announced the return of its flagship Open Farm event which will take place in two counties this year. The agri-food educational body said that the event will return to Co. Kildare, along with a brand-new Open Farm experience in Co. Galway. Open Farm is the major part of Agri Aware's mission of enhancing agricultural literacy, giving the public and schoolchildren a unique opportunity to experience a working Irish farm firsthand and understand the journey of food from farm to fork. Open Farm is a free of charge event with gates open to the public from 10:30am to 5:00pm on both days. Agri Aware The Kildare Open Farm will be hosted on the Doran family's dairy farm in Donadea (W91 DH99). On Thursday, June 13, the farm will welcome over 800 primary school students from Kildare and Dublin for a dedicated schools day. Students will explore how dairy products are made, learn about sustainable farming practices, and develop a deeper appreciation for where the food they consume comes from. On Saturday, June 14, the farm will open to the general public for an educational and interactive day out for all ages. There will be self-guided tours for visitors, a mini-farm village, food demonstrations, kids' games, and the chance to speak with the Doran's about how they care for their animals and the environment. (L-R) Olivia, Kayla, Hallie and Aonghusa Fahy with Agri Aware chair Shay Galvin The Galway Open Farm will be hosted by Aonghusa Fahy on his beef farm in Ardrahan (H91 TPD2). The Schools Day will take place on Thursday, June 12, followed by the public Open Farm Day on Sunday, June 15. Similar to Kildare, students and the general public will have the opportunity to engage directly with the farm family, see modern beef farming in action, and understand the vital role Irish beef farms play in producing high-quality food sustainably. Open Farm is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the National Dairy Council (NDC), the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), Tirlán, Our Food Connects, ABP, Teagasc, Kildare Milk Producers Group and the Fresh Milk Producers Group. Agri Aware has teamed up with Agriland Media as the official media partner for Open Farm for 2025. Open Farm Commenting at the launch of Open Farm 2025, Agri Aware chair Shay Galvin said: 'Bridging the gap between producers and consumers remains a key challenge, but it's one we are committed to addressing'. 'Open Farm gives us a unique opportunity to connect people directly with the farms that produce their food. 'We're especially looking forward to welcoming schools on Thursday, followed by the public open days in Galway and Kildare over the weekend. 'Our sincere thanks go to the Doran and Fahy families for generously opening their farms. 'Thanks to them, visitors will get to see first-hand how Irish food is produced sustainably, with care and dedication,' he added. Kildare host farmer Kevin Doran said that he immediately agreed when he was first approached about hosting Open Farm. 'We are passionate as a family in what we do here in terms of producing a sustainable top-quality product with, first and foremost, the welfare of our animals being the top priority. 'To be able to showcase this to both primary school students and the general public as part of Agri Aware's Open Farm is one of excitement for us as a family that we are looking forward to,' he said. Galway host farmer Aonghusa Fahy added: 'As generations pass, the connection between food and its origins is increasingly being lost, even in rural communities. 'We take immense pride in what we do, from the care we give our animals to the quality of food we produce. 'Through Open Farm, we want to share our story and show the public how we're farming sustainably for the future,' he said.
