Conversation Beneath The Trees

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: Trees on the land Soil Association Ben Raskin 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 Helen Browning's Organic Book: Silvohorticulture Book: The Woodchip Handbook The Agroforestry Show Agroforestry UK Facebook Group The Irish Times - The tree whisperer who has helped plant a million native trees across Ireland Agricology - Andy Dibben 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: For-es 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 Climate and Health Alliance Book: At Work in the Ruins Talamh Beo Gould Farm USA View through a window may influence recovery from surgery Joanna Macy Back garden treasures 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: Kerry Die Ocean FM - Hidden Worlds Conker Nature Magazine - Vol XX Well and Good - What To Avoid in Potting Mix if You Don’t Want Your Houseplants To Die, According to a Soil Scientist Agri Insider - Innovators' Year: Gleann Buí Farm Episode 3: Digging for Answers British Society of Soil Science - Can soil moisture deficit be used to forecast when soils are at high risk of damage owing to grazing animals? 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 Catchments IE LA Waters - Citizen Science LA Waters - Citizen Science Stream Index Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership ACRES Ireland 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: Medicinal Forest Garden Trust Contact Anne Stobart 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 Cornucopia Alchemy Transition Town Kinsale The Common Knowledge Centre Regenerate IE Cork College of FET - Kinsale Campus Gubb Farm Hells Kettle Organic Farm New Forest Farm Cornucopia Food Forest Hazel & Davi’s Wicklow CSA Syntropic Agroforestry Green Spaces for Health - Cork City Cork Rooftop Farm Farming For Nature Community Orchard Meitheal The Eden Project Plants for a future PFAF - Plant database 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: The Farm Woodland Forum Inishowen Uplands Pasture for Life Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) - Hill & Mountain Research Book: Transhumance and the making of Ireland’s Uplands (1550-1900)  Nature Scot Andrew Barbour Ben Clinch (Moray Estates) Roy Dennis Loughgall Agroforestry Site 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: Organic Research Centre Agricology 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 Why do sheep eat ivy? (Kew) Contact Dr. William Milliken 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: Western Forestry Co-op  Aspen Consultants 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: Irish Forest Owners Fiorbhia Farm Pro Silva Ireland 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 Irish Agroforestry Forum’s FT8 booklet Irish Agroforestry Forum - Conference Proceedings (November 2023) European Agroforestry Federation Professor Jim McAdam’s website Third Level Agricultural Education in Twentieth Century Ireland with Particular Reference to Northern Ireland Book: Advances in temperate agroforestry - Chapter 9. Types of silvopastoral system: an overview  Monitoring Trees Outside Forests in the EU The Falkland Islands Journal 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 DisneyPlus Farm Rebellion Sophia Swan - Planning and environmental specialist at Ørsted Native Tree Area 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.

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.