Castlegregory, Co. Kerry – On a windswept strip of land facing into the Atlantic, Kerry farmer Tommy Reidy understands the value of working with nature rather than against it.
For Tommy’s farm on Corca Dhuibhne (the Dingle Peninsula) the answer is clear: healthier land, thriving nature and an opportunity to transition to a full-time income from the land after years of part-time farming.
Managing a diverse patchwork of landscapes—from rugged mountain commonage to fragile coastal machair grasslands—Tommy advocates for a nature-led farming model.
“Nature can live without the farmer, but the farm cannot thrive without a functional natural ecosystem. I farm to suit the ecosystems on the land and enable them to survive and thrive.”
Tommy pictured with his son accepting his Farming for Nature Ambassador Award
Tommy’s work has earned him recognition as a Farming for Nature Ambassador, thanks to his careful stewardship of these sensitive habitats.
Primarily an organic beef and sheep farmer, Tommy runs a herd of heritage Dexter cattle, alongside hardy Scotch and Swaledale sheep. He finishes the Dexters for beef and makes and sells burgers at local events. But their role extends beyond meat production. The cattle also graze his on-farm machair; a rare coastal grassland, for eight weeks each winter, maintaining the delicate ecosystem through targeted grazing.
With a keen interest in the cutting edge of agricultural developments, he has successfully experimented with the Bokashi Method. This an anaerobic process whereby microbes are applied to the livestock’s bedding while being housed. This prevents pathogen buildup during housing. Since adopting the system, diseases related to livestock being housed has disappeared.
Wildlife is encouraged and protected on the farm. Bare earth banks for mining bees and a long history of planting trees and hedgerows means there is lots of shelter for nature on Tommy’s farm. He has also collaborated with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to create two ponds as habitats for the endangered Natterjack toad, once common in the Kingdom.
“This place was never meant for intensive farming, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be productive,” Tommy says. “You just have to work with it—not against it.”
Local farmer and fellow Farming for Nature Ambassador Brigid O’Connor agrees:
“Tommy’s farm is a perfect example of what’s possible when you combine care, curiosity, and courage. He’s not afraid to try new things—and the land is responding.”
Tommy is also creating new income streams. He recently opened a B&B on the farm,offering ecological tours and meals featuring his nutrient-dense, farm-produced food.
In an area where land abandonment is becoming more common, Tommy believes the future lies in diverse, nature-friendly systems:
“The future for small farms is to farm in harmony with nature. With developments like lab-grown meats and precision fermentation, farmers need to rethink how to compete. By restoring natural habitats and building resilience, we can create systems that support both biodiversity and livelihoods.”
As regenerative agriculture gains ground across Ireland, Tommy Reidy’s story serves as a powerful example of how farming with nature can restore ecosystems and rural communities.
Tommy will be taking part in an online ‘Ask the Farmer’ Q&A on Tuesday 17th June at 8pm. You can register to attend the webinar here.
A short video about Tommy’s farm is available to view here
