Roscommon Farmer Seán Butler joins the Farming for Nature Network
Seán Butler is a pioneering regenerative farmer working on dry limestone soil in Ireland. Farming since 1976, Seán transitioned from intensive agriculture to organic practices in 2001 and now leads the way in regenerative farming – restoring soil, supporting biodiversity, and building climate resilience.
Seán began his career with traditional, high-intensity methods. But over time, he witnessed the environmental cost, not just to his land, but to the future of farming itself. This realization sparked a transformation. Seán converted his farm to certified organic production and, more recently, adopted regenerative farming practices. Now in its fourth year of regeneration, his land is flourishing, demonstrating that food can be produced while restoring ecosystems.
Seán operates a fully organic beef farm that integrates livestock with nature. He maintains: A small suckler herd of 12 cows, including Angus and Hereford crosses, and Moiled breeds. A ¾ Stabiliser bull for breeding. A multi-paddock rotational grazing system that allows soil and grasses time to recover
In addition, Seán has planted 11 hectares of native woodland, creating habitat for wildflowers like orchids and cuckoo flowers, as well as supporting pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. His work proves that regenerative livestock farming and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand. “If I had discovered regenerative farming sooner, I would have been a different farmer. I would have enjoyed it more, and maybe the kids would have seen it as an option.” He sees regenerative farming not as a niche practice, but as a pathway for the entire agriculture sector to become a climate solution. Seán’s long-term vision is to develop his land into a demonstration farm, showing farmers, educators, and policymakers how regenerative practices can be applied in real-world settings. “We won’t survive if we don’t find our way back into the web of life.”
Ask the Farmer Online Q&A – Tuesday March 24th at 8pm
“Moving from a conventional to a regenerative farming system” with Seán Butler. Register here.
A short video about Seán and his farm can be viewed here on the Farming for Nature YouTube channel.
The Farming for Nature Ambassador Awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
