In our final episode of Season 2, we’ve invited Imogen Rabone, Ben Raskin and Jack Browne to share their insights across boosting tillage, horticulture production and resilience including how to plan agroforestry layouts on a farm and how to diversify and create a range of habitats on your land to encourage soil and ecosystem biodiversity.
Episode host:
Ray Ó Foghlú
Episode guests:
Imogen Rabone
Ben Raskin
Jack Browne
Resources:
Organic Matter - Season 2 - Experimenting with min till and agroforestry with Jack Browne
Irish Farmers Journal - Ep. 728 - Organic tillage, agroforestry and anaerobic digestion
Farm Forest Episode 12 - Jack Browne Co.Carlow
Agroforestry UK Facebook Group
The Irish Times - The tree whisperer who has helped plant a million native trees across Ireland
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we explore the science of assessing the good things that forests do for us with PhD student Kathleen Conroy. Kathleen tells us about developing a tool to measure the benefits of forests for people. We'll talk about those benefits and a future where they may lead to financial support for farmers and landowners whose farms support nature.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guest:
Kathleen Conroy
Resources:
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we explore the links between our health and how we feel around trees with psychologist Dr. Eoin Galavan and GP Dr. Sean Owens who starts by telling us about an amazing elm tree he discovered near his clinic.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guests:
Dr. Eoin Galavan
Dr. Sean Owens
Resources:
Irish Doctors for the Environment
View through a window may influence recovery from surgery
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we explore the crucial nature of the health of our soil with Dr. Aga Soil Scientist and farmer Liam O'Connor tells us about his journey from engineering to forestry.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guests:
Dr. Aga Soil Scientist
Liam O'Connor
Resources:
Conker Nature Magazine - Vol XX
Agri Insider - Innovators' Year: Gleann Buí Farm Episode 3: Digging for Answers
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we hear from Paul O’Callaghan and Mike O’Connor about the impact of farming and climate change on our water systems, catchment science, how agroforestry could provide solutions to improve water quality and drainage and how trees can benefit the ecosystem in and around our water bodies.
Episode host:
Ray Ó Foghlú
Episode guests:
Paul O’Callaghan
Mike O’Connor
Resources:
Local Authority Waters Programme
Duhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments - Booklet of Measures
Duhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments EIP DEMO Farms
The battle for phosphorus is intensifying - University of Southern Denmark
LA Waters - Citizen Science Stream Index
Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership
Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we talk to medical herbalist Anne Stobart about the long and fascinating story of plants being used as medicine for people and animals.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guest:
Anne Stobart
Resources:
Learn about Medicinal Forest Gardening
Medicinal Tree Research References
Book: Trees and shrubs that heal
Book: Medicinal Forest Garden Handbook
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we talk to economic botanist Andrew Ormerod about the best plants to grow in a forest garden. He's joined by permaculture expert Donal Chambers and Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine district forestry inspector Eugene Curran who has a special interest in agroforestry and the value of permaculture in creating sustainable food systems.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guests:
Andrew Ormerod
Donal Chambers
Eugene Curran
Resources:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Cornwall and South West Fruit Focus
Cork College of FET - Kinsale Campus
Green Spaces for Health - Cork City
The Agroforestry Research Trust
Book: Food for Life - Your Guide to the New Science of Eating Well
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode, we chat to John Holland, Henry O’Donnell and Nikki Yoxall who discuss upland farming, ancient farming practices, what is most sustainable for farming, what type of animals are most appropriate for our landscape, and how to tap into animals’ natural instincts when it comes to grazing, shelter and location.
Episode host:
Ray Ó Foghlú
Episode guests:
John Holland
Henry O’Donnell
Nikki Yoxall
Resources:
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) - Hill & Mountain Research
Book: Transhumance and the making of Ireland’s Uplands (1550-1900)
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we hear from Lindsay Whistance and David Kerr who discuss the day-to-day operations of a dairy farm and how agroforestry can support and strengthen it. We chat about milking systems in the UK, Ireland and beyond, whether there are any “easy wins” in terms of agroforestry for busy farmers and the types of tree fodder that can naturally benefit cattle on the farm.
Episode host:
Ray Ó Foghlú
Episode guests:
Lindsay Whistance
David Kerr
Resources:
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we talk to sheep farmer and ethnobotanist William Milliken who works at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. He researches the relationship between plants and people, how we've used plants to cure ourselves for generations. Much of his research has centred on an Irish collection that is a treasury of ancestral knowledge of traditional cures for animals and people.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guest:
William Milliken
Resources:
Royal Botanical Gardens - Kew - Dr. William Milliken
Ethnoveterinary Medicine Project at Kew
Book: Flora Celtica - Plants and People in Scotland
Ethnoveterinary Data in Britain and Ireland: can native herbal medicine promote animal health?
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we hear from Marina Conway, Reamai Mathers and Jim McAdam who tell us about pioneering projects they have been a part of, the benefits of nurturing and planting native woodland, the agricultural and economic opportunities for farmers and practical ways to apply their knowledge to farms.
Episode host:
Ray Ó Foghlú
Episode guests:
Marina Conway
Jim McAdam
Reamai Mathers
Resources:
Professor Jim McAdam’s website
Edge of the moor - Cactus guards
Fiona McAuliffe - Lecturer, Rural Economy Environment And Society, Environment & Countryside
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode we explore what it's like to take on a forest. We hear from Olive Leavy and Brendan Guinan, two people who found themselves becoming an accidental forester and agroforester. Olive fell in love with the family forest and Brendan has turned a forest into a successful, diverse and productive farm.
Episode host:
Catherine Cleary
Episode guests:
Olive Leavy
Brendan Guinan
Resources:
Farm Forest - Episode 2 - Olive Leavy
Forestry Solution Series - Webinar 6 - Olive Leavy, Manus Crowley & Liam Byrne, ProSilva
Silviculture Research International - Continuous Cover Forestry
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In this episode, Catherine and Ray find out how Ireland is towards the top of the European league table for hedgerows and "trees outside the forest" and explore the future for biodiversity and carbon farming. We’ll hear from Gerry Lawson and Jim McAdam who both have a wealth of knowledge across the policy landscape and the progression of agroforestry and what’s coming up next.
Episode hosts:
Catherine Cleary
Ray Ó Foghlú
Episode guests:
Gerry Lawson
Jim McAdam
Resources:
Irish Agroforestry Forum’s FT8 booklet
Irish Agroforestry Forum - Conference Proceedings (November 2023)
European Agroforestry Federation
Professor Jim McAdam’s website
Book: Advances in temperate agroforestry - Chapter 9. Types of silvopastoral system: an overview
Monitoring Trees Outside Forests in the EU
French Chambers of Agriculture
UN Land Use, Land-Use Change & Forestry (LULUCF)
EC Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming
View through a window may influence recovery from surgery
AFBI NI - Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
Agrecalc - Coppice Willow for Cattle Grazing
Forestry and logging in the EU
Sophia Swan - Planning and environmental specialist at Ørsted
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
Season 2
Welcome to Conversation Beneath The Trees, a podcast bringing together scientists, farmers and innovators from all across Ireland to share their ideas and experiences of farming with trees.
In our second season, we’ll be exploring a wide range of topics including how to design your farm using the right types of trees and plants, how knowledge from ancient farming practices could still be applicable today, how trees can support health and wellbeing, how diversifying farms can create new earning opportunities and the essential role trees can play in sustaining our environment now, and in the future.
Episode hosts:
Catherine Cleary
Ray Ó Foghlú
Featured guests:
Henry O’Donnell
Olive Leavy
Dr. Eoin Galavan
This podcast is produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Forestry Promotion Fund.
Our hosts are Catherine Cleary and Ray Ó Foghlú, with design and production by Karishma Kusurkar from The Curated Pod and the project lead is Maureen Kilgore, Manager of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
In our ninth episode we'll hear all about Charlie Cole’s small family run farm - Broughgammon - outside Ballycastle, County Antrim. Charlie’s family have turned fifty acres into a thriving multigenerational business.
Find out more about Broughgammon Farm: www.broughgammon.com
This episode is hosted by Catherine Cleary - www.pocketforests.ie
This podcast has been produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in association with GrowIn. It is funded by the Woodland Support Scheme provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In our eighth episode, Ray Ó Foghlú is in the host's chair and he's joined by Lindsay Whistance and Mick O’Sullivan who tell us all about the relationship between trees, nature and dairy farming.
Find out more about some of our featured guests’ work:
Lindsay Whistance - www.organicresearchcentre.com
This episode is hosted by Ray Ó Foghlú - www.hometree.ie
This podcast has been produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in association with GrowIn. It is funded by the Woodland Support Scheme provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In our seventh episode, we get to the bottom of regenerative farming, what it is and how farms can transition to a more regenerative model. Our experts are forester and farmer Rossa Gibbons, farmer Will Frazer and they're joined by Professor Jim McAdam.
Find out more about some of our featured guests’ work:
Will Frazer - www.growin.land
Professor Jim McAdam - www.jim-mcadam.net
This episode is hosted by Catherine Cleary - www.pocketforests.ie
This podcast has been produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in association with GrowIn. It is funded by the Woodland Support Scheme provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In our sixth episode we do a “deep dive” into how Skibbereen farmer Alan Kingston is farming with trees and berries - there will be lots of berries, including one you may not have heard of before!
You can find Alan Kingston on his farm “Seamus’ Farm” in West Cork.
This episode is hosted by Catherine Cleary - www.pocketforests.ie
This podcast has been produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in association with GrowIn. It is funded by the Woodland Support Scheme provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In our fifth episode, we travel through time to “farms of the future” to see what innovations are on the horizon. We're joined by Brendan Digney from tech start-up Machine Eye, entrepreneur Helen Keys from GrowIn and Professor Jim McAdam.
Find out more about our featured guests’ work:
Brendan Digney - www.machine-eye.com
Helen Keys - www.growin.land
Professor Jim McAdam - www.jim-mcadam.net
This episode is hosted by Catherine Cleary - www.pocketforests.ie
This podcast has been produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in association with GrowIn. It is funded by the Woodland Support Scheme provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In our fourth episode, we invited a panel of guests to tell us all the latest happenings in the world of tree fodder, the research into it and its potential uses. We’re joined by farmers Michael Meharg and Keith Brennan, Dr Katerina Theodoridou from Queen’s University and Professor Jim McAdam.
Find out more about our featured guests’ work:
Michael Meharg - www.nffn.org.uk/steering-group-northern-ireland/
Keith Brennan - www.hawthornhillfarm.com
Dr. Katerina Theodoridou - pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/katerina-theodoridou
Professor Jim McAdam - www.jim-mcadam.net
This episode is hosted by Catherine Cleary - www.pocketforests.ie
This podcast has been produced by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in association with GrowIn. It is funded by the Woodland Support Scheme provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
