Join us for at Gurteen College on Saturday 20th September (10.30am–4pm), to explore the future of farming in a changing world.
From practical insights on sustainable agriculture to honest conversations about farm welfare, succession, and survival, this is a day for anyone connected to the land. Our plenary speaker is the brilliant John Feehan, naturalist and theologian as our plenary speaker. We’ll close with a Harvest Service, and there will be a donation to Embrace FARM, supporting farming families through loss.is
Speakers Jim Dwyer, (chairman of the Board of Governors of Gurteen), Ken Gill (organic beef and tillage farmer), Kim McCall (mixed livestock farmer), George Graham (sheep shearing champion & speaker on mental health and stress), Embrace FARM, an organisation that supports farmers affected by suicide and bereavement, and Anne Marie Doheny (speaking about succession and the supports available to farming families).
Gurteen College, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, E53 TP93
€20 includes lunch | Spaces limited
Register by Sept 16: [email protected] | 087 8326113
All welcome as we share conversation, debate, and thoughtful engagement on these important topics!
There is no question now but that we are living in a warming world and that we are largely responsible. It seems the longer we turn away from the problem, the worse it will get. We in the United Diocesan Council for Mission have been asking ourselves how can we contribute in a small way to a vision of a world where we live sustainably with nature, working with our Creator rather than against Him. For our sprawling diocese, extending from Killala to Kenmare, dominated by agricultural land, much good, some not so good, we think a good place to start is agriculture.
Many of our parishioners in unions and parishes up and down our united diocese make their living from agriculture. They and their families depend on it. At the beginning of the year, the UDCM got some funding for a conference on the subject of sustainable agriculture. We are calling it Harvesting Hope – a future for sustainable agriculture? It will take place on Saturday 20th September in Gurteen Agricultural College in North Tipperary. This is an ecumenical venture with the Methodist Church in the context of our shared Covenant. After the discussion sessions are finished we will have a shared harvest service in Gurteen for our participants. John Feehan, noted naturalist, scientist and theologian, who has written the definitive history of Irish Agriculture, will give the address.
We assemble in Gurteen at 10.00am for tea, coffee and registration. The morning session will focus on sustainable agriculture. It will be chaired by Jim Dwyer, a practicing dairy farmer and chairman of the Board of Governors of Gurteen. Jim will be joined by a panel that will include Ken Gill an organic beef and tillage farmer and Kim McCall who manages a 214-acre mixed livestock farm in Calverstown, Co. Kildare. Staff and students of the four year degree course in Agricultural Science and Sustainability which Gurteen run in association with the Technological University of the Shannon will also take part in this session, giving us their take on the future of farming.
After breaking for lunch (12.30 – 2.00), the discussion will address farming welfare and succession. Farming is the most dangerous and uncertain occupation of all; farmers have to cope with unpredictable weather events and seasons, attacks on livestock, disease risk and injury, isolation, unexpected global events that affect farmgate prices, and now, after being encouraged to maximise production, they are being told they are a major part of our country’s carbon footprint problem! This is a time of great challenge as well as great opportunity. One of our panellists will be George Graham who is well known for speaking of his own experiences and how he has overcome many challenges in his life. Also present at this session will be Embrace FARM, an organisation that supports farmers affected by suicide and bereavement. Succession is an issue of major concern to some farmers. Anne Marie Doheny will speak about this issue and the supports available to farming families to help them address it. At the end of this session, approximately 3.30pm, we will close with an ecumenical harvest service of worship and praise.
We are charging 20 euro for the day, payable at registration, and most of this sum will be donated to the work of Embrace FARM. You can also book directly by contacting Michael Hanna at [email protected]. Tel or text to: 087-8326113 Numbers are limited so don’t delay!
Michael Hanna
Hon. Sec. UDCM, Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe.
Listen to our podcast on the topic – Stephen Fletcher, DCO talks to Michael Hanna & Bishop Michael Burrows https://www.mixcloud.com/TLKCOMMS/midwest-radio-serviuce-24th-august-2025/
ITINERARY
Arrival/Registration: 10.00 – 10.30
TEA/COFFEE
MORNING SESSION: 10.30 – 12.30
Focuses on sustainable agriculture Chaired by Mr. Jim Dwyer (dairy farmer)
Speakers: Mr Ken Gill (organic farmer)
Mr Kim McCall (mixed livestock – organic)
Staff and students of the 4 year B.Sc. in Agricultural Science and Sustainability (linked to the TUS)
LUNCH: 12.45 – 2.00
SUPPLIED BY GURTEEN COLLEGE
AFTERNOON SESSION: 2.00 – 3.20
Focuses on farming family issues
Chaired by Mrs. Gillian Kingston
Speakers: Succession Issues with Ms. Anne Marie Doheny
Mental Wellbeing, a representative from the Embrace FARM organisation, and Mr. George Graham.
FINAL SESSION: 3.25 – 4.00
A Celebration of Harvest Thanksgiving
Speaker: Dr. John Feehan (Environmental Scientist and Author)
