The Irish Uplands Forum (IUF) held an EIP-AGRI workshop in Ellis Hall, Connemara West Centre, Letterfrack, Co Galway on 28 October 2021.
This event brought together farmers, ecologists and upland community groups to discuss the various principles underpinning upland agri-environmental programmes and recommend best practice. The workshop also involved a site visit to an innovative young farmer participating in the North Connemara Locally Led Agri-environmental EIP-AGRI Scheme.
This project aims to ensure the long-term economic viability of hill farming in the Twelve Bens/Maumturks area through the development of sustainable and innovative agricultural management practices to restore, preserve and enhance the biodiversity of this unique Natura 2000 area. Dr Shane Conway, a member of the NRN team at NUI Galway’s Rural Studies Centre was invited by the Irish Uplands Forum to close the event with an overview of discussions held throughout the day, and highlighted the value of the EIP-AGRI approach in making the best use of different types of knowledge (practical, scientific, technical, organisational, etc.) in an interactive way to help identify innovative solutions to agri-environmental issues on the uplands. A NRN EIP-AGRI poster exhibition was also on display at this event.
The full agenda for this event can be found here A photo album from this in-person event can also be found on the NRN’s Facebook page: see here.
Source: National Rural Network
Image source: Irish Uplands Forum
