The Burren Winterage School is an annual learning and networking event for those interested in ‘farming for nature’, seeking to explore and promote ways through which farming can make a more positive contribution to addressing our global biodiversity crisis.

Contributors - and participants - typically include farmers, farm advisors, students, teachers, researchers, public authorities and policymakers from across Ireland, Europe and beyond – all with a shared interest in sustainable farming.

Set in the magnificent Burren landscape and located in a different Burren village every year, the non-profit event is hosted by the Burrenbeo Trust and is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The atmosphere is informal, positive and respectful: The School aims to foster better understanding and engagement across all actors involved in farming for nature, rather than being critical or dismissive of other perspectives.

Founded in 2013, the event format consists of presentations, workshops, farm visits, community events and lots of socialising and networking!

BWS 2023

Friday 27th Oct

This year’s Burren Winterage School will be a welcome opportunity for farmers, researchers, policymakers and others to come together again to share updates and discuss some of the ever-pressing issues around sustainable farming in Ireland. Friday 27th will have a conference on the theme of Farmers, livestock, habitats and fire. On Saturaday, 28th Oct, the annual Farming for Nature Network day will comprise of farm walks and panel discussions , followed by entertainment (with very special guests). This event allows us to come together to celebrate farmers across Ireland who are striving to work alongside nature, and to share ideas on how these great custodians might best be supported at a time of great challenge and opportunity. The event taking place in Gort, promises to be a wonderful occasion for learning, networking and inspiration. We hope you can join us in Gort this October for the Burren Winterage School 2023.