SOILCRATES was pleased to take part in the AgriNext Rural Exchange, held on 14 May, which brought together a diverse range of voices to explore rural innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of multifunctional agriculture in Ireland.
Led through the AgriNext project, the event was hosted at Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery, where participants heard from David Walsh Kemmis about the farm’s journey into diversification and brewing. His story offered a strong example of how rural enterprises can adapt, innovate, and create new opportunities while remaining rooted in place.
The exchange also presented the latest results from AgriNext, including its work to provide flexible learning opportunities through an online knowledge platform focused on multifunctional agriculture. These tools support continuous learning and professional development across rural communities.
A panel discussion explored two key questions: how rural Ireland can take advantage of emerging opportunities, and what the future of rural entrepreneurship might look like. Contributions from researchers, practitioners, and rural enterprise representatives highlighted the importance of collaboration, skills development, diversification, and locally grounded innovation.
SOILCRATES joined participants from projects including AGRETAIN and WeNaTour, adding to the wider conversation on rural resilience, sustainable land use, and community-led development. Events like this demonstrate the value of cross-project exchange in connecting knowledge, practice, and policy to support thriving rural futures.
