Kildalton College to host Agri Aware Farm Walk and Talk events

Kildalton College, in south Kilkenny, is set to be the venue for some of the Agri Aware Farm Walk and Talk events for agri science students, again this year. The Teagasc college will host students on two days in March.

Agri Aware’s popular Farm Walk and Talk series is back for 2024 with second level students studying agriculture science soon set to walk onto farms from Donegal down to Cork, and in Kilkenny.

Kildalton College will host students on Thursday and Friday, March 21 and 22.

After a successful 2023 where just under 4,000 students took part, Agri Aware is looking forward to meeting teachers and students once again on farms where the most modern, up-to-date research, technology and practices are implemented on.

Over the years students have had memorable Farm Walk and Talk days, from observing milking, grading beef cattle, to attending sustainability and farm safety talks and even participating in the live lambing of sheep!

Launching the series, Agri Aware Chairman Shay Galvin and Executive Director Marcus O’Halloran were joined by partners of the series which include the Irish Farmers Journal, Teagasc and University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science as well as students from St. Joseph’s Secondary in Rochfortbridge Co. Offaly.

Students this year will once again receive a physical copy of the Agri Aware Farm Walk and Talk student notes booklet, which were very popular among students and teachers last year.

Giving an insight into the importance of the Farm Walk and Talk series, Agri Aware Chairman Shay Galvin said: “It is hugely important for agriculture science students to see first-hand the great work that goes on farms which imparts an appreciation for the work Irish farmers do to produce quality sustainable food 365 days of the year.

“It is vital we pass on the most up-to-date research and best practices to the next generation, as the students we will be meeting over the next few weeks will be the primary food producers, food scientists and leaders in the agriculture industry that we will be relying on to drive this industry forward.

“Agri Aware’s Farm Walk and Talk gives Leaving Certificate agricultural science students an insight and appreciation into the work involved in running a farm and the hard work that goes along with it in making it a successful viable enterprise.
“Farm Walk and Talk allows students to see the topics they learn about in action on a working farm. Students also have the opportunity to talk to industry experts and see developments in farming first-hand.”