Mark and Pippa Hackett
Mark and Pippa Hackett manage a 205-acre organic farm in Co Offaly. The farm is mainly grassland with about 15 acres of forestry, including Norway spruce and a smaller native oak area. The farm system centres on organic beef and sheep production, with roughly 35 suckler cows and about 200 ewes. All stock are home-bred in a closed herd, and animals are finished on the farm for the organic market. Inputs are kept to a minimum; no chemical fertiliser, minimal concentrate feeding, and a strong reliance on forage. Much of the grassland has been reseeded to multispecies swards over recent years to build soil health and fertility. Adaptive paddock grazing and bale grazing systems have recently been incorporated into the farming system and so far this has yielded strong results; improving grass utilization, soil health, and livestock performance. Efficiency is a guiding principle for how Mark and Pippa manage the farm — late spring calving and lambing, contractor use for heavy work, and streamlined daily routines allow the farm to remain manageable alongside off-farm employment.
Nature plays a genuinely valued role on the farm. The old hedgerows are carefully maintained, allowed to grow tall and diverse, and new planting has filled gaps over years. Wildlife observations include barn owls, kestrels and sparrowhawks, as well as thriving insect life such as dung beetles and solitary bees.
Community involvement is an important part of farm life. The family are active locally through discussion groups, farm walks and producer networks. Mark and Pippa express pride in a balanced farm system that supports animals, nature and family life together.
Nomination (Natasha Page-Wood, Organic Trust):
Mark & Pippa Hackett deserve national recognition because their farm exemplifies a whole farm approach to nature stewardship while remaining commercially sound and deeply rooted in family and community. The farm is framed by mature hedgerows and trees, includes a diverse forestry area, and has consistently delivered to the highest standards in agri environmental schemes, treating habitats not as constraints but as core assets in the farming system. These enduring features provide connectivity and refuge for wildlife and demonstrate long term, intentional care for biodiversity.
Innovation is embedded in daily practice. Mark & Pippa’s adoption of holistic planned grazing and bale grazing has yielded strong results, improving grass utilization, soil health, and livestock performance. Historically, they have integrated fodder crops, red clover, and multi species swards (MSL), strengthening resilience and reducing inputs. Calving and lambing occur in a tight April window, aligning animal needs with peak forage growth, a hallmark of excellent stock management and a farm in step with the seasons. Stabiliser cattle and Romney sheep were deliberately chosen for low input suitability, reflecting their evidence led approach to breed selection and a clear focus on efficiency and welfare.
Mark is also a superb communicator. As an Organic Inspector and active manager of multiple enterprises, he “practices what he preaches,” translating technical knowledge into practical, real world insights for other farmers. His credibility stems from lived experience across cattle, sheep, ponies, and laying hens, and his ability to explain why changes work, not just how to do them. Beyond the farm gate, he has served his local community as a County Councillor and is an exceptionally hands on dad to four children, offering steadfast support to his wife Pippa’s campaigns. This blend of civic service and family leadership underscores that farming for nature is about people as much as place.
