Philip & Eleanor Cussen

Philip and Eleanor Cussen farm a 45ha mixed organic system that includes sucklers, tillage and horse breeding enterprises. The sucker herd currently stands at 15 cows and in recent years they have focused on improving the quality of the herd rather than increasing numbers. They grow organic oats, mainly for sale to Flahavan’s, alongside legumes such as red clover and pea–barley mixes that help build soil fertility and provide feed for livestock. The system is designed to be as circular and self-sufficient as possible. Straw and farmyard manure from the cattle are returned to the land, while crops such as oats are also kept for feeding cattle and horses. Eleanor breeds traditional Irish cob horses, producing several foals each year that are typically sold young. The horses also play a role in grazing certain areas of the farm, where their lighter grazing patterns help maintain plant diversity, especially in paddocks where Devils Bit Scabious flowers thrive.

Nature restoration and conservation is central to how Philip and Eleanor manage the farm. Hedgerows, field margins and grassland habitats provide shelter and food for birds, insects and small mammals. Phil and Eleanor are mindful of how farming decisions affect wildlife and aim to manage the land in a way that supports biodiversity while still producing food - "There are three things necessary for biodiversity - habitats, habitats, habitats! As the old saying goes; build it and they will come!" They are proud to say their farm is home to breeding barn owls and the marsh fritillary butterfly.

Nomination (Tony Grogan, FFN Ambassador):
Phil and Eleanor run an organic suckler , tillage and horse breeding enterprise. They are part of the National Moth Survey and are very involved with National Parks and Wildlife. They are also valued members of the Limerick/Tipperary Organic Farmers Group