Waters of LIFE have welcomed 17 new advisors to participate in its Agri-Environmental Programme pilot for 2026.

The group were trained at events in Mallow and Tuam ahead of a new recruitment window for participating farmers in March and April.

Advisors play a central role in delivering the agri-environmental pilot. They act as ambassadors for the programme with farmers and carry out Habitat Assessment and Runoff Risk Assessment on the farm.

Run off risk assessments identify the right measures to protect or improve water quality on a farm. They are the basis of a water quality farm works plan.

All Waters of LIFE approved advisors undergo on-site training to carry out these assessments. They also begin their work on the programme with a class-room based introduction to Waters of LIFE and the Source-Pathway-Receptor model.

Programme advisors are drawn from both the private sector and Teagasc’s advisory service. Teagasc hosted advisor training for the Awbeg (Kilbrin) and Shournagh sub-catchments in Cork at their Mallow office.

Waters of LIFE is currently preparing farm plans and contract offers for eligible farmers who expressed an interest in entering the programme in 2026. These will be issued in March and April ahead ahead of one-to-one clinic opportunities in local sub-catchments.

It’s expected that the second tranche of farmers will be active in the programme in the summer of 2026.