Inishowen man wins
Farm Forestry Award
31.08.20
Carndonagh farmer, Ross
Buchanan is the winner of the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry
Award 2020.
The award is usually presented in front of a packed
audience in the RDS Concert Hall as part of the annual
Spring Livestock and Forestry Awards, but this year, due
to Covid-19 restrictions, Ross received the award at his
farm in Inishowen.
From traditional Donegal sheep farming heritage, Ross
Buchanan manages 48 hectares of diverse woodlands, which
was planted back in 2006. This has opened up new
opportunities for farm diversification and as such
forestry is now very much an important part of his farm.
“Trees were once an integral part of Inishowen's
heritage. Restoring some measure of the biodiversity and
scenic value of woodland to promote the peninsula is
something I would love to see in my lifetime,” said
Ross. |
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Steven Meyen, Teagasc Forestry Advisor,
on the left presents Ross Buchanan with his Farm
Forestry Award. |
Teagasc Forestry Advisor,
Steven Meyen said: “Ross’s story shows how farm forests
can be a multipurpose resource and meet a range of owner
objectives. Applicants for the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry
Award reflect a range of sustainable and innovative
approaches to making farming and forests work together
with benefits for all.”
In congratulating Ross Buchanan on his award, Professor
Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc said: “This award
recognises farmers like Ross who is achieving
sustainable integration of his forestry and farming
enterprise. This will help farming families and the
communities in which they live to build resilience by
optimising the many economic, environmental, practical
and social benefits that can accrue from farms and
forests working together.”
For more information on the RDS Teagasc Farm Forestry
Award and all aspects of planting, management and
training visit,
www.teagasc.ie . |
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