Agroforestry for Water Quality & Resilience walk-and-talk events
Farm Walk Series
Hosted by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in collaboration with Trees on the Land, GrowIN, Ulster Wildlife, the Rivers Trust and the Blackwater River Catchment Trust and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
These walks are supported by the Shared Island Fund provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Join us for a series of farm walks exploring how integrating trees onto productive farms can protect and improve water quality, mitigate flooding, and boost farm resilience. These walks offer a practical look at how trees manage nutrient run-off, enhance soil infiltration, and restore waterways. The walk series will include visits to farms to see a newly planted site, farms planning systems and 37 year old established trials at Loughgall. Whether you are a farmer, landowner, advisor, forester or student, these visits will provide valuable information and knowledge on how to integrate trees into farming systems so they provide ecosystem services that will help and support production and the environment. Please wear appropriate footwear -boots/wellingtons and bring a waterproof coat.
Event Details
8th October 2026
Schedule & Locations:
Oct 8th: AFBI Loughgall Research Station. AFBI, Loughgall. AFBI Deerpark farm, Drumilly Road, Loughgall, BT61 8JH. Start Time 11am
All welcome to attend. These walks are suitable for farmers, advisors, students, policy makers, members of the public and anyone interested in how trees can protect and improve water quality.
Registration & Contact: Free to attend, but registration is required to ensure parking availability.
Thursday October 8th. AFBI Deerpark farm, Loughgall, Co.Armagh. Start Time 10am at the Church Hall in Loughgall Village. St Luke's Parish Hall, 8 Ballygasey Rd, Loughgall, Armagh BT61 8HY.
Visit to see the 36 year old Silvopasture site at AFBI Loughgall, Co.Armagh. FBI Deerpark farm, Drumilly Road, Loughgall, BT61 8JH. Start time 11am at the farm yard, link to parking below.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oMV3xgKZTwrPUrMv8
This is an opportunity to visit one of Europe's longest-running, continually managed agroforestry research sites, with silvopastoral trials running since 1989. The visit will feature a detailed tour and discussion led by IAF Director Prof Jim McAdam, who will outline the extensive research currently being undertaken at the facility, share data and knowledge from decades of research on integrating trees into grazing systems for sheep and cattle and explain the proven benefits of agroforestry, including enhanced biodiversity, significant carbon sequestration, and improved water quality.