Agri Aware events welcome students
WICKLOW student Karl Jones who attends Wesley College, Dublin was in attendance at the launch of this year’s Agri Aware Farm Walk and Talk series.
Over 3,000 Leaving Cert Agricultural Science students from across the country, including Wicklow, will close their textbooks and open their minds this Spring as they take to the fields for this year’s event which runs from March 5-15 at nine venues nationwide.
Students from across urban and rural Ireland will visit Teagasc colleges and research centres nationwide, as well as UCD’s Lyons Research Farm and this year’s newest venue the Irish Farmers Journal Farm in County Offaly, to gain real-life experience on working farms and hear talks from leading agri-food industry experts.
From observing cows being milked, comparing different breeds of cattle, examining soil profiles, watching piglets suckle the students will experience the reality of the subject that they are taught each day in the classroom.
‘Agriculture is hands-on and events like Agri Aware’s Farm Walk and Talk provide thou- sands of students with an insight into the practicalities of farming and the hard work that farmers do each day. For many it will be their first time on an operating farm and we believe it could play a role in enticing these students towards a career in agriculture sector,’ said Agri Aware Chairman Richard Moore.
This eight-day series of events includes presentations from lecturers as well as a variety of Agri Aware patrons who provide industry and curriculum linked talks.
Representatives from ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak, Truly Irish and Liffey Meats will provide educational talks and presentations on the meat industry, while representatives from Glanbia, Dairygold, Dairymaster, Lakeland Dairies, Aurivo, LacPatrick Co-op and Arrabawn will be on hand to provide information about the Irish dairy industry. Gouldings and Grassland Agro, both members of the Irish Fertiliser Manufactures Association (IFMA), will educate students on the fertiliser industry.
Other patrons who will speak on their sectors include IFAC accountants, FBD Insurance and many more.