Farming for NatureHere are a series of podcasts from farmers on why and how these farmers are doing their bit for nature. Listen to them below. You can also subscribe to our podcast channel through various apps, just click on the subscribe button under any of the below images to pick the app you want to follow through. Don’t forget to please rate and review the podcast too.
Donal Sheehan
Can intensive farmers make a profit and farm for nature at the same time? Conventional dairy farmer, Donal Sheehan, explains how he has changed the way he farms to encourage more wildlife. Donal is a third generation farmer from the Bride Valley in east Cork, Ireland. More information about Donal’s farm here
Tommy Earley
Roscommon farmer Tommy Earley talks about his farm and how – and why – he leaves spaces for nature. More information about Tommy’s farm here.
Sean Farrell
Sean O’Farrell has a mixed farm near Roscrea in Co. Tipperary. A few years ago he changed the way he farms. He explains why he did this, and how he makes space for wild species on his land. More information Sean’s farm here.
Ailbhe Gerrard
Ailbhe Gerrard farms on the shores of Lough Derg in Co. Tipperary. Her approach to farming is not limited to food – she also tries to produce better land for nature. More information on Ailbhe’s farm is here.
Olly Nolan
Olly farms in the valley of Glenasmole in the Dublin Mountains. He’s new to farming, and talks about his approach to producing food and habitats for wildlife on his land. More information on Olly’s farm is here
Padraig Corcoran
Padraig Corcoran has a beef and sheep farm in Mount Plunkett in Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon. He talks about how he manages his 54 acre farm for food production and nature. More information on Padraig farm here.
Donna Mullen
Donna has a 43 acre farm that she bought 20 years ago with her husband. In this time they have turned an intensive farm with just 2 fields into a nature reserve with woodlands, meadows and ponds attracting a wide range of species. Each year they focus on one species to attract the farm by providing their habitat. More information on Donna’s farm is available here.
Feargal Ó Cuinneagáin
Feargal explains how he farms his land in Mayo in a way that enhances life for endangered species such as corncrake, twite and chough. His farm is now a jewel in the crown of the spectacular Mullet Peninsula on the far west coast of Ireland. More information on Feargal’s farm is here.
Darina Allen
Darina Allen owns a 100 acre mixed farm in east Cork, with fruit & vegetables, pigs, beef, dairy cows and hens. More information on Darina’s farm is here.
Bridget Murphy is an 8th generation farmer with 125 acres on the Ox Mountains. She farms sheep, horses, trees and native Irish bees. More information on Bridget’s farm is here.
Relevant podcasts from other sources:
Guardians of the Land
A series of podcasts based in counties Clare and Galway interviewing the farmers and conservationists that are working towards maintaining and protecting different ecological landscapes, habitats and wildlife. The landscape of Ireland has not been shaped purely by natural forces, it has been sculpted by thousands of years of agriculture. During this time, the wildlife has evolved to adapt to this farming environment. To protect our wildlife, conservation farming needs to continue. How can we protect our biodiversity while keeping farming viable and profitable? This series of podcasts explores how farmers based in counties Galway and Clare are guarding Ireland’s living landscapes.
Each podcast is approximately 30 mins long. These were produced by Pranjali Bhave and presented by Dr Oliver Ó Cadhla for Galway Bay FM in 2016 with the help of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Episode 1: Farming to save the Burren
Episode 2: Farming to save the Lesser Horse-shoe bats
Episode 3: Farming to save the Corncrake on Omey Island
Episode 4: Farming to save the wading birds on the Shannon Callows
Episode 5: Farming to save the hen harriers
Episode 6: Farming to save the Twelve Bens of Connemara
Episode 7: Farming to save the Aran Islands
Feedspot podcasts on farming
Farming For Nature has been awarded in the top 20 international farming podcasts by Feedspot. If you are interested to see what the other farming blogs/podcasts are out there you can click here.