Farming For Nature (FFN) are delighted to announce the 2025 Horse’s Mouth farmer to farmer mentorship is now open for applications until the 31st May. The advisory service is available for 50 farms across Ireland to receive on-the-ground practical advice from fellow farmers. This is available for all farming system and land types. If you are tillage farmer in Wexford or a sheep farmer in Donegal, mixed stock in Tipperary or beef in Kildare, this mentorship is open to all farmers.
“We have worked with over 100 farms in the last few years linking these farms to a fellow farmer who can visit and provide practical tips on what they can do to improve the nature and wildlife on their farms and still continue to farm productively – from the horse’s mouth as such. From our research over 85% of these farms have said that nature has improved since they had this visit on their land. says Brigid Barry, FFN Coordinator.
Farming For Nature have a thriving network of farmers – the Farming For Nature Ambassadors, who have offered their time and expertise to be mentors on this programme. The Horse’s Mouth involves one of these mentors carrying out an informal walk on the host farm and share simple, practical advice and encouragement. In order to be considered as a host farm for a farm visit please visit our website and fill out the simple application form by the 31st May.
The host farmer pays a nominal fee of €50 to the visiting mentor and we pay the rest. Farming For Nature aims to pick 50 farms this year to partake in this project with the view of expanding the concept into the future.
As you can see from the feedback from previous participants, this has been very helpful for farmers receiving these visits. “Our mentor was a wealth of knowledge and I’m very grateful that he got the opportunity to visit the farm and give me some guidance on farming with nature. I found it really helpful and inspiring”. Eamon Dohery, Sheep Farmer, Co. Donegal.
‘The fact that there is no judgement, as it is peer to peer, it didn’t feel like an inspection.” James Hyland, Dairy Farmer, Co.Tipperary.
“I found the visit to be inspirational in so far as we were able to reimagine the potential for the farm/lands that we own. I was also encouraged by the fact that there are lots that we can do that will fit into our current lifestyle and that farming does not have to be an all or nothing approach.” Sarah Donahue, Mixed Stock farmer, Co. Cavan.
Applications open now until the 31st May. Just 50 places. Shortlist will be notified at the beginning of June.
More information hereThe Horse’s Mouth Application Form
