Waters of LIFE is reopening its training and development programme to nominated agricultural advisors in 2026.

Advisors will be invited to take part in the programme if:

• They are registered as an FAS Approved Agricultural Agent
• Have been nominated by an eligible farmer for 2026 entry into the Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme pilot.

Advisors must be formally approved by Waters of LIFE in order to work on the agri-environmental programme. Approval is dependent on active participation in Waters of LIFE training and development. This includes a one-day introductory classroom event. Dates for the 2026 classroom training events have been confirmed as follows:

Wednesday February 25^th 2026

Venue: Ard na Ri House Hotel, Tuam,

Time: 09:30 – 16:00

Suitable for: Nominated advisors to farmers in the Islands (Galway/Roscommon), Graney (Clare/Galway) and Avonmore (Wicklow) sub-catchments.

Registration Link:  https://buytickets.at/watersoflife/2042743

OR

Thursday February 26^th 2026

Venue: Teagasc Local Advisory Office, Mallow, Co. Cork, 09:30 – 16:00

Time: 09:30 – 16:00

Suitable for: Nominated advisors to farmers in the Awbeg (Kilbrin) and Shournagh sub-catchments in Cork and the Avonmore sub-catchment (Wicklow).

Registration Link: https://buytickets.at/watersoflife/2042891

 

Preliminary Time Table :

09:15 – Sign-In, Tea and Coffee

09:30 – Module 1: Intro to Waters of LIFE

10:15 – Module 2: Intro to Water Quality and the Waters of LIFE project

11:00 – Tea/Coffee

11:20 – Module 3: Intro to Catchment Science – Pollutants and the SPR Model

13:00 – Lunch

14:00 – Module 4: Waters of LIFE General Actions for Water Quality

15:00 – Tea/Coffee

15:15 – Module 5: Waters of LIFE Supporting Actions for Water Quality

16:00 – Q&A and Next Steps

16:30 – Sign Out

There is no cost for attendance. Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided. 

Role of the Agricultural Advisor:

Agricultural advisors have a vital role to play in delivery of the programme.

Click here for an information booklet on the Waters of LIFE Agri-Environmental Programme pilot. 

Work includes:

• Conducting a run-off risk assessment (flow pathways) walkthrough on participant farms
• Scoring habitats on farms to facilitate results based payments to participating farmers
• Supporting farmers in implementation of general measures (e.g. nutrient management planning)

Further training events will be provided for runoff risk and habitat assessment as well as ongoing support for working with farmers on general and supporting actions.