News
50 Places Available on Horses’s Mouth Mentorship Programme
24th April 2024
The 2024 ‘Horse’s Mouth’ farmer to farmer mentorship programme is now open for applications. This advisory service is available to 50 farms across Ireland to receive on-the-ground practical advice from fellow farmers on how to improve biodiversity on their land. Applications are open until May 31. We get several queries from farmers looking for practical advice on what they can do to support nature on their land. This service is provided by our thriving Farming
Ambassador Series of Farm Walks Announced
23rd April 2024
19 farm walks will take place from May through to September. These walks are hosted by Farming for Nature Ambassadors as a knowledge sharing opportunity for other farmers to gain an insights into incorporating, protecting and enhancing nature on their land. There is a great diversity of ambassadors hosting farm walks this year covering a range of farming systems from dairy, beef, sheep, equine, mixed farming and even alpaca farming. A dairy series of farms
Ask the Farmer Q&A with Mariann Klay
15th April 2024
Our next Ask the Farmer Q&A, as part of our Farming for Nature Ambassador Series is with Equine Farmer, Mariann Klay from Co. Kildare. Register here to secure your place Mariann runs a stud farm in Swordlestown Little County Kildare. She bought the land with her husband in 1998 and they have built a successful stud farm where they breed thoroughbred horses. There are between 10-12 breeding mares on the land along with their followers,
Farming for Nature Welcomes County Roscommon Organic Farmers to the Network
1st April 2024
Farming for Nature Welcomes County Roscommon Organic Farmers to the Network Farming for Nature is delighted to welcome Justina & Liam Gavin of Drumanilra Organic Farm to our growing ambassador network. Justina and Liam Gavin run Drumanilra Organic Farm on the shores of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. They manage a 300-acre mixed livestock and horticulture farm. They farm a herd of pedigree Irish Dexter cattle, a flock of Jacob sheep and a flock of laying
21 Nominees Announced for Annual Ambassadors Awards
26th March 2024
Farming for Nature has announced details of 21 farmers who have been nominated for their annual Ambassador Awards. This year’s nominees come from 16 counties across the four provinces. Most farming types and systems are well represented and include dairy, beef, pig, poultry, tillage as well as mixed systems. Of the 21 nominees, eight are organic, three are in conversion to organic and 10 are conventional farms, with farm sizes varying from 10 to 240 hectares. Among
Ask the Farmer Q&A with Justina and Liam Gavin
14th March 2024
‘Running a field to fork farm’ with Justina and Liam Gavin Next up in our Ask the Farmer Q&A sessions. 9th April at 8pm. Just Register here Liam and Justina Gavin run Drumanilra Organic Farm on the shores of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. They manage a 300-acre mixed livestock and horticulture farm. They farm a herd of pedigree Irish Dexter cattle, a flock of Jacob sheep and a flock of laying hens. The organic animal
Farming for Nature Welcomes Laois Dairy Farmer to the Network
4th March 2024
The Farming for Nature (FFN) project is delighted to welcome Laois farmer, David to their growing Ambassador network. I am honoured to be a Farming For Nature Ambassador and part of the Network. My late father George had a huge interest in nature and the environment as well as being a good farmer. I am striving to continue his legacy. Can you farm relatively intensively and in harmony with nature? I believe you can. David
New video on planting whitethorn hedges
20th February 2024
See here our new educational video on planting whitethorn hedges. This educational video outlines how to plant a whitethorn hedge and why it is beneficial to your farm. It includes how to assess your site, the importance of soil fertility, planting and pruning, how do you manage weeds etc The video shows Clare-based Farming for Nature Ambassador Jim Cronin teaching a whitethorn hedging course on his farm and his top tips on the above.
Ask the Farmer Q&A with David Kerr
20th February 2024
‘Running an intensive dairy farm with space for nature’ Register here David Kerr is a commercial dairy farmer from Ballyfin Co Laois. The 70-ha farm is comprised of mixed land ranging from good grassland to wet heavy land to cutaway bog. David milks 150 cross-bred cows, “following the old farming mantra of one cow to the acre”. He also keeps a small flock of Dorset Horn sheep on the farm. 20% of the land has
Farming for Nature Welcomes Galway Sheep Farmer to the Network
1st February 2024
The Farming for Nature (FFN) project is delighted to welcome Galway farmer, Blátnaid Gallagher to their growing Ambassador network. “As an Farming For Nature Ambassador, it is an opportunity for me to share with other farmers and non-farming nature enthusiasts, my joy of growing food, whilst treasuring our natural environment and its bounty. As a custodian of our beautiful Irish countryside being a FFN ambassador, affords me a platform to showcase how we can produce