‘Managing a wide variety of habitats on a productive sheep and tillage farm’ with Ambassador Boyd Bryce

Join this farm walk on practical actions for nature with Farming for Nature Ambassador Boyd Bryce ‘Managing a wide variety of habitats on a productive sheep and tillage farm’. The Farming for Nature  farm walks are an opportunity for FFN Ambassadors to showcase their contribution to nature and good farming practices on their land. This is part of our ‘Shared Island’ series of farm walks, in partnership with the Nature Friendly Farming Network and we encourage farmers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to attend.

Boyd and his wife Bride run a 350-acre farm on Inch Island, Co. Donegal. The farm is a mix of arable areas, sheep pastures and woodland, all of which is managed sensitively for nature. Boyd farms his land with nature and manages all aspects of the farm with nature in mind, including his shorelines, wetlands, woodlands, field boundaries and non-farmed areas. Boyd also actively creates new habitats for wildlife ranging from waders to amphibians. He is a passionate birder and has been involved in various bird-based projects over the years. Boyd is also enthusiastic about educating others and his farm has been used as an example of best practice for conservation farming.

WHAT ARE THE FARM WALKS:

• This will be a 2.5 hour (approximately) visit to the farm and will include a walk around with the farmer/farm family, a look at some of the habitats and species present, as well as the livestock and/or crops, and a discussion with the farmer about how he/she/they manage the land in support of nature.
• These walks are for farmers and people with an interest in farming for nature. They are meant to be an interactive knowledge exchange between people with a real interest in farming and nature. They are not suitable for children, or for people/groups looking for an ‘organised walk’ in the countryside.
• These walks are non-profit but a booking fee is necessary to minimise the frustrating level of no-shows. It costs €12 to register and all funds are circulated back into the farming community.
• Please wear suitable footwear for uneven and potentially muddy conditions.
• We would ask that you please respect these farmers, their land and livestock when visiting. Dogs are not welcome. You will be turned away if you arrive with one.
• The exact location of the farm walk will be sent via email to ticket holders on the week of the walk (keep an eye on your email & your spam folder as sometimes the emails end up in spam).
• Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk commences.

Thank you to the Shared Island Civic Society Fund for supporting these farm walks.
For more info on FFN events, resources, programmes – go to www.farmingfornature.ie