Strengthening Rural Life: From Farm to Community

Friday, 20 February 2026, at its Bishopstown Campus.

A free, public workshop will bring together policymakers, farmers, educators, innovators, community leaders and interested members of the public to examine how Ireland’s rural communities can remain socially vibrant, economically resilient and future-focused in the face of significant policy and structural change.

The workshop is centred on the role of rural communities at the heart of Ireland’s agricultural future and will provide a platform for open discussion on how farming can continue to sustain not only food production, but community life itself, particularly across the South West region.

Across three themed panel sessions, participants will explore the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027 and its implications for rural industries and communities; examine how balancing specialisation and diversification can strengthen local economies and help rural communities thrive; and consider the future of farming, including new educational pathways and technological opportunities to empower the next generation.

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