Fourth Irish RAIN Workshop on Agroforestry Knowledge Platform (AF4EU)
AF4EU is a Horizon Europe-funded collaborative project with the objective of promoting agroforestry in Europe through the development of an interactive, innovation-driven and multi-actor agroforestry network. Forestry Advisor, John Casey tells us about a project workshop held in Teagasc Tullamore.
The AF4EU Consortium is composed of 12 partners from 10 different countries with the contribution of 5 associations. A key element of the project has been the engagement of different actors (farmers, advisors, policy makers and multipliers) to learn from each other and develop insights into required extension services and business model development through Regional Agroforestry Innovation Networks (RAINS).
The fourth and last Irish RAIN workshop took place at Teagasc’s Tullamore office, Co. Offaly during February 2025, with the dual aim of collecting user feedback on the AF4EU Knowledge Platform (KP) prototype and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and operational groups. The event provided a platform to validate materials developed by RAIN members, explore user interface improvements, and facilitate meaningful discussions about the future of agroforestry in Ireland.
The workshop was the culmination of a series of 11 preparatory events held between July and December 2024, which directly reached over 3,000 people across Ireland. These events included open days, training sessions for advisors, promotional activities, and thematic agroforestry walks, and were essential for raising awareness and engaging the agroforestry and wider agricultural community.
Discussing agroforestry with an international forestry student’s tour
Digital media promotion of agroforestry
Mr. Eugene Curran, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine inspector, and Mr. Ray Ó Foghlú, Illaun Farm Forest EIP, who offered insights into long-term agroforestry development as well as the role of operational groups and the transformative biodiversity project at Illaun, Co. Clare, delivered key presentations. This initiative includes novel biodiversity practices, participatory workshops, and strong digital outreach efforts.
Ray Ó Foghlú presents on the Illaun Farm-Forest Alliance EIP Operational Group
A lively discussion followed the presentations, focusing on fostering collaborative networks, building social capital, and shaping a positive narrative around agroforestry. Participants provided practical feedback on Knowledge Platform data modules, recommending more nuanced data collection methods.
During the coffee networking session, participants recommended identifying farm decision-makers, noting off-farm income, specifying management systems (especially organic), including advisory costs, refining grassland data, and tracking livestock sales, breeds, and agroforestry benefits like weight gain and grazing length. Overall, participants appreciated the chance to give feedback on the posters in a relaxed, informal setting.
Feedback from the Session 5 participant survey identified the greatest challenges to agroforestry adoption as a lack of technical expertise and policy/regulatory barriers. However, strengthened partnerships were also highlighted as a key opportunity.
A further series of agroforestry training days for foresters commenced in April, 2025 and will continue into June. This training delivery is the result of collaborative approach undertaken by the Irish Agroforestry Forum (IAF), Teagasc and with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Professor Jim McAdam addressing professional foresters at a recent agroforestry training day
Workshop participants made suggestions regarding the Decision Support System (DSS) tool, for example, that it should clearly name the strategy under consideration and provide step-by-step action plans. As one farmer noted: “I know where I want to go, what I need is a recommended route to get there.”
In conclusion, the workshop was well-received and served as a crucial step in refining AF4EU’s Knowledge Platform, while reinforcing the importance of user-friendly tools, stakeholder collaboration, and responsive advisory support in promoting agroforestry across Ireland.