This article is from page 38 of the 2008-01-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 38 JPG
THE first major farming event of 2008 was launched last week with the announcement of FarmFest ‘08. The major outdoor farming event, which is organised by Teagasc, will take place at the Teagasc Centre in Athenry on Friday, June 20.
Teagasc FarmFest 2008 will focus on all areas of farming but in par- ticular some of the emerging areas such as food, sustainability and the environment and REPS.
‘“FarmFest *O8 will display all as- pects of Teagasc’s relationship with the countryside, farming and farm families. Taking place this year in the west of Ireland, this event will
have something of interest for all members of the farm family, and will also be of interest to those living in the wider rural community,” said Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle last week.
‘Education will be a key aim of the day and will display the breadth of Teagasc’s services and the opportuni- ties available to farmers and country dwellers. We will bring together the old and the new, demonstrating Tea- gasc’s innovative and contemporary approach while not dismissing the rural traditions people hold dear.”
All the main farm enterprises will be featured along with areas such as bioenergy, forestry, artisan foods, tourism, sports horses and organic
farming. These displays will be in the form of a series of themed tented ‘villages’ with separate, but conven- iently located, exhibition areas and entertainment.
The villages will include sheep, dairy, cattle, horses and tillage tents as well as advisory services and re- search. Other tents will include food, crafts, alternative agri-enterprises and alternative energy. FarmFest is hoping to attract a good attend- ance from all farm families as well as those living and working in the countryside. The event takes place in Athenry on Friday, June 20.
Meanwhile, Teagasc and the Irish Bioenergy Association (Irbea) are jointly organising a one-day con-
ference that focuses on making the bioenergy supply chain work.
The event will be held in the Tul- lamore Court Hotel on February 12 and will consist of three separate sessions: Policy, Vehicle Fuel and Solid Biomass. The speakers, ex- perts drawn from different stages of the supply chain, will share their experience of how they achieved successful operations in the popular biofuel energy sectors, or in the less known non-energy sectors such as crop-derived construction materials, renewable polymers and lubricants.
For more information please con- tact Liz O’Sullivan, Teagasc Oak Park on 059 9183483 or email Liz. O’Sullivan @teagasc.ie.