Nuffield Ireland 30th Anniversary Conference - Farming the Future

PROGRAMME

CONFERENCE MC - Helen Carroll

08:30–09:00 Registration, Tea/Coffee & Networking Delegate registration and arrival

09:00–09:10 Welcome – Celebrating 30 Years of Nuffield Ireland: Nuffield Ireland welcome and introduction to the conference theme - Gráinne Dwyer, Chair, Nuffield Ireland

09:10- 10:15 Scholar Panel 1Returning Scholars: Marina Conway – Agroforestry; Seamus McMenamin – Sheep Farming Diversification. Guest: Prof. Jim McAdam (AFBI). Scholar presentations followed by expert response and moderated discussion.

10:15–10:35 Coffee & Networking - Morning break

10:35–11:40 Panel 1: Producing More Than Food – Farming, Nature and the Next Generation Dr. Catherine Farrell (Trinity College Dublin / Business for Biodiversity Ireland), Aisling Meehan (Aisling Meehan Agricultural Solicitors), Claire Brennan (Making Farms Work for Women) and David Kerr (Dairy Farmer and Farming for Nature Ambassador)

11:40–12:40 Keynote – The Farm of 2050: How AI, Robotics and Data Will Reshape Agriculture - Keynote speaker: Dr Siobhán Jordan (Teagasc)

12:40–13:40 Lunch & Networking

13:40–14:45 Scholar Panel 2 Returning Scholars: Majella McCafferty – Dairy Chain Connection; Zoe McKay – Pasture Resilience. Guest: Dr. Brendan Horan (Irish Farmers Journal). Scholar presentations followed by expert response and moderated discussion.

14:45–14:50 Padraig Walshe Award – Audience Vote Delegates invited to cast their vote for best presentation by a returning Scholar

14:50–15:15 2026 Scholars: From the Field - Short updates from the current 2026 Nuffield Ireland Scholar cohort

15:15–16:20 Panel 2: Beyond the Farm Gate – Understanding Tomorrow’s Consumer - Panel discussion with Paul Kelly (IBEC’s Food Drink Ireland), Richard Cooper (Our Food Roots), Mandy Hennebry (Tirlán) and Jack Boland (Tallaght University Hospital)

16:20–16:35 Introducing the 2027 Nuffield Ireland Scholars - Introduction and recognition of the incoming Scholar cohort

16:35-16:40 Update on Nuffield International - Mike Brady, Chair, Nuffield International

16:40–16:45 Closing Address - Closing remarks, thanks and final reminder to submit Padraig Walshe Award vote

17:00 Conference Close

18:30 Drinks Reception

19:00 30th Anniversary Banquet & Fireside Chat featuring Michael Berkery and Matt Dempsey - Nuffield Ireland's founding pioneers - Jim McCarthy (1996 Scholar) and Paula McCooey (2026 Scholar).