Agri Aware’s farm Walk & Talk returns with additional dates

Agri Aware have announced extra dates to their Walk & Talk series, hosting secondary school students studying agricultural science on farms over the coming weeks

Students from Tullamore College with Gráinne McGrath, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board; Damien Dempsey, School of Agriculture and Food Science, UCD; Agri Aware chairman Shay Galvin; Eogan Callaghan, Teagasc; Shaun Diver, Irish Farmers Journal.

The annual Farm Walk & Talk series hosted by Agri Aware is returning, with additional dates.

The series offers second-level students studying agricultural science the chance to step onto farms across the country in the coming weeks.

This year’s series will see each event cover all cross-cutting themes of the agricultural science curriculum, with the addition of a stand dedicated to the Individual Investigative Study (IIS) that is worth 25% of the final grade, where students can talk to Agri Aware Education Officers and seek advice on their projects.

Students will have the opportunity to take their classroom learning to the farmyard and witness real-world applications of the latest agricultural techniques and practices.

Through these events, students can gain real-life experiences on working farms. They also attend talks from agri-food industry experts and leading academics in a practical environment.

From observing cows being milked, comparing different breeds of cattle, examining soil profiles, lamb births, to watching piglets suckle and farm safety demonstrations, the students get to experience the realities of the subjects that they are taught each day in the classroom.

This year’s series will begin in Co Tipperary on February 24 and conclude on March 13, at Kildalton Agricultural College in Kilkenny, with an additional day added to Pallaskenry Agricultural College for 2026 to cater for increased demand.

Last year, 4,100 students took part in the event with Agri Aware, looking forward to meeting teachers and students once again on farms where the most modern, up-to-date research, technology and practices are implemented alongside event partners and patrons.

This year, the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) have come on board to partner on the series with Teagasc, the Irish Farmers Journal and the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

Speaking ahead of this year’s series was Agri Aware Chair Shay Galvin, who said: “It is with great pride to announce the return of our flagship secondary school event series, Farm Walk & Talk.

For 2026, we are thrilled to offer the series to Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science students and Transition Year students, and thanks to the LOETB, the fee for students has been waived. We look forward to welcoming students and teachers across all events and hope they take back valuable learnings to the classroom.” 

Gráinne McGrath of the LOETB said: “As an ETB, we are delighted to be part of this initiative and believe it is absolutely crucial that education providers like the LOETB engage with initiatives such as this.

It plays a vital role in promoting the subject of agricultural science and highlighting the wide range of opportunities available within the sector. We hope it will encourage students to avail of both further and higher education pathways currently on offer.”

Event Dates and locations of 2026 Agri Aware Walk & Talks:

• February 24: Gurteen -Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Tipperary.
• February 25: Teagasc Grange Animal & Grassland Research Centre, Co Meath.
• February 26: Irish Farmers Journal Demonstration Farm, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
• February 26: Pallaskenry - Teagasc Salesian Agricultural College, Co Limerick.
• February 27: Pallaskenry - Teagasc Salesian Agricultural College, Co Limerick.
• March 4: Clonakilty - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Cork.
• March 5: Moorepark - Teagasc Research College, Co Cork.
• March 5: Mountbellew - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Galway.
• March 6: Mountbellew - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Galway.
• March 10: Ballyhaise - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Cavan.
• March 11: Ballyhaise - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Cavan.
• March 11 morning and afternoon: UCD Lyons Farm, Co Kildare.
• March 12: Kildalton - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Kilkenny.
• March 13: Kildalton - Teagasc Agricultural College, Co Kilkenny.