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

09:10–09:25 Official Conference Opening - Speaker: TBC

09:25–10:30 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.

10:30–10:55 Coffee & Networking - Morning break

10:55–12:00 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) *

12:00–13:00 Keynote – The Farm of 2050: How AI, Robotics and Data Will Reshape Agriculture - Keynote speaker: TBC

13:00–14:00 Lunch & Networking

14:00–15:05 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.

15:05–15:10 Padraig Walshe Award – Audience Vote Delegates invited to cast their vote for best presentation by a returning Scholar

15:10–15:35 2026 Scholars: From the FieldShort updates from the current 2026 Nuffield Ireland Scholar cohort

15:35–16:40 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 Sarah Keogh (Dietician)*

16:40–16:55 Introducing the 2027 Nuffield Ireland ScholarsIntroduction and recognition of the incoming Scholar cohort

16:55–17:00 Closing AddressClosing remarks, thanks and final reminder to submit Padraig Walshe Award vote

17:00 Conference Close

* A few speakers remain to be confirmed.

18:30 Drinks Reception

19:00 30th Anniversary Banquet & Fireside Chat