Waters of LIFE Farmer Training Opens For May 2025

Registration for Waters of LIFE farmer training is now open.

Attendance at training is a required element of participation in the Waters of LIFE agri-environmental programme pilot. Farmers are paid €156 for their time participating in each training event.

Waters of LIFE have organised a series of training events in each catchment in May. Times are dates are based on a poll of farmers’ availability. Farmers who are unable to attend for a legitimate reason are also able to nominate a family member or farm worker to attend on their behalf.

Participation farmers must attend one of the following training events:

Graney, Co. Clare / Galway

Wednesday May 7th, 11am to 2pm – Lough Graney Community Hall Flagmount

Thursday May 8th, 7pm to 9:30pm – Lough Graney Community Hall Flagmount

Avonmore, Co. Wicklow

Saturday May 10th, 11am to 2pm – Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh

Thursday May 15th, 7pm to 9:30pm – Annamoe Centre, Annamoe

More events to be added for Awbeg, Islands and Shournagh sub-catchments…

Refreshments and Meals:

Day time option: Soup and sandwiches will be served during day time options. Tea and coffee will be served at break time.

Evening option: Soup and sandwiches will be available from 6:30pm – 30 minutes before training starts. Tea and coffee will be served at break time.

Survey / Draw to win €500:

Waters of LIFE are offering the chance to win a cash prize of €500 to any Waters of LIFE programme farmer who completes our survey.

The purpose of this survey is to understand farmers’ farming practices and perspectives on nature.

This survey is conducted by the University of Limerick and Waters of LIFE.

Completing this survey should take approximately 20 minutes.

Here is the link to complete the survey: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/NGmYAE2n

The survey is designed for completing online. If you would like help to complete it in person, you are welcome to come to training venue 45 minutes early and we’ll help to get you set up. In-person support is subject to availability and all survey work must be completed prior to the start of the training event.

Training Content:

This training event will focus on the core elements of participation in the Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme. It is a short training event designed around farmers’ other commitments. Presentations will be short and focused. Short exercises and discussion will help participants with training objectives.

Module 1: Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme Pilot – Overview (30 mins)

Module 2: Habitats – Payment by the plot and the nature value of your farm. (30 mins)

Module 3: General actions – how your time in our programme is valued. (30 mins)

Module 4: Supporting Actions – Inputs to increase payments and nature value on your farm (30 mins)

Farmers will also be briefed on the next steps in the programme and asked to feedback on training.

Registration is via eventbrite. Participations will be asked to sign-in at the training event to verify their attendance.

Further information and help:

If you need any help to register attendance, please contact your local catchment lead:

Avonmore, Co. Wicklow – Mark Desmond: +353861986343

Awbeg, Co. Cork – Diarmuid McSweeney: +353873419907

Graney, Co. Clare/ Co. Galway – Ruth Bennett Coady: +353868181461

Islands, Co. Galway / Co. Roscommon – John Kelly: +353862013578

Shournagh, Co. Cork – Diarmuid McSweeney: +353873419907