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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Farming for Nature
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250411T080000
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DTSTAMP:20260604T105506
CREATED:20250311T091943Z
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UID:12530-1744358400-1753549200@www.farmingfornature.ie
SUMMARY:NOTS Organic Principles Course
DESCRIPTION:Learn what’s involved in converting to organic farming with this 50-hour / 2 weekend course. Course must be completed by 1st of October 2025 to ensure OFS Payments.  \n\n\n\nThe course is QQI Level 5 certified\, and is the standard accepted certificate required by DAFM to gain access onto the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).  \n\n\n\nThe course is €200 when you come through NOTS\, and can be done in-person with two farm walks included in each course on nearby organic farms. \n\n\n\n\nDrumshanbo Enterprise Centre\, Co.Leitrim – April 11th\, 12th\, 25th & 26th\n\n\n\nSpa GAA Club in Killarney\, Co Kerry – May 9th\, 10th\, 23rd & 25th \n\n\n\nThe Base Enterprise Centre\, Railway Road\, Stranorlar\, Co.Donegal – May 16th\, 17th\, 30th & 31st\n\n\n\nNorth Galway – TBC Venue – May 16th\, 17th\, 23rd& 24th\n\n\n\nShankill Castle\, Paulstown\, Co.Kilkenny–  July 11th\, 12th\, 25th & 26th
URL:https://www.farmingfornature.ie/events-calendar-event/nots-organic-principles-course/
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250415T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250415T210000
DTSTAMP:20260604T105506
CREATED:20250320T095909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250320T095911Z
UID:12600-1744747200-1744750800@www.farmingfornature.ie
SUMMARY:Ask the Farmer Online Q&A with Ken Gill
DESCRIPTION:Ken Gill is an organic beef and tillage farmer near Edenderry Co. Offaly. He keeps around 60-70 suckler cows and finishes animals at 2 years\, which are all completely grass-fed. Prior to 2015\, he was farming conventionally but struggling to make it work financially. He tried organics and has been impressed with the results ‘’The grazing ground gets very little fertiliser\, it’s amazing. Soil tests a few years after going organic showed P & K levels had improved rather than declined’. He has been carefully managing soil fertility since\, ensuring no ground is left bare and catching and using effluent that runs off the yard. In his rotation\, he produces turnip\, kale and rape for fodder\, which also has the benefit of breaking up the soil for subsequent crops. He produces around 8 hectares (20 ac) of oats for Flahavan’s\, and then introduces red clover for fertility.  \n\n\n\nHe is a part of the Teagasc Future Beef group. In 2023\, group members reported very poor grass growth. In contrast\, he notes in ‘our system the weather didn’t make much difference\, it was more resilient compared to the other Future Beef farmers – the financial figures are more than holding their own’. He used to keep a ‘short\, back and sides’ approach to hedgerow management but now lets them grow.  He has observed how the hedge provides a shelter not just for cattle but for grass too ‘you can see it after a cold east wind for a couple of weeks\, there is a big difference between the exposed field and the sheltered fields.’ This is just one example on his farm of ‘how helping nature helps your bottom line too’.
URL:https://www.farmingfornature.ie/events-calendar-event/ask-the-farmer-online-qa-with-ken-gill/
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250423T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250423T170000
DTSTAMP:20260604T105506
CREATED:20250423T154934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T154937Z
UID:12772-1745395200-1745427600@www.farmingfornature.ie
SUMMARY:'Managing a wide variety of habitats on a productive sheep and tillage farm' with Ambassador Boyd Bryce
DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n\n\nBoyd 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. \n\n\n\nWHAT ARE THE FARM WALKS: \n\n\n\n\nThis 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.\n\n\n\nThese 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.\n\n\n\nThese 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.\n\n\n\nPlease wear suitable footwear for uneven and potentially muddy conditions.\n\n\n\nWe 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.\n\n\n\nThe 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).\n\n\n\nPlease arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk commences.\n\n\n\n\nThank 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
URL:https://www.farmingfornature.ie/events-calendar-event/managing-a-wide-variety-of-habitats-on-a-productive-sheep-and-tillage-farm-with-ambassador-boyd-bryce/
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