Farming for Nature

Roscommon beef farmer Tommy Earley has created 15 ponds on his farm in the West of Ireland.  They attract a spectacular array of life, and he explains why every farmer - and gardener! - in Ireland should create a watery space for nature. 

The founders of Farming for Nature, Brigid Barry and Brendan Dunford, explain what the initiative is, and how and why farmers across Ireland should get involved.  

Norman Dunne owns a 400-acre tillage farm near Maynooth. Five years ago he transformed the way he farms, in a way that has benefitted nature and his own mental health. 

They're known as "the farmer's friend" because they eat rodents such as wood mice, pygmy shrews and rats.  But barn owls are struggling in Ireland - there's been a 50% decline in the last 25 years. How can farmers help to restore barn owls to their land?  Wildlife expert & tillage farmer, Paul Moore, explains how he brought them back to his 140-acre farm in Midleton, Cork.   Please like, share...

Thomas is an arable farmer with 84 acres in north Co. Cork.  He farms speciality crops such as grain-lupins, linseed, lentils, sunflowers, as well as the standard grain crops. 

Fergal Smith owns the 66-acre Moy Hill Farm in West Clare.  He keeps Dexter cattle, Jacob sheep and runs a large market garden. He sells all his produce direct to his local community. 

Patrick Holden is a dairy farmer at Bwlchwernen Fawr in Wales, UK and campaigns for more sustainable food systems.  He speaks here during the Burren Winterage Weekend (Oct 2020). 

James Rebanks has a family-owned farm in the Lake District in northern England, and is the author of The Shepherd’s Life & English Pastoral. He explains his approach to farming with nature during this talk which he gave for the Burren Winterage Festival, Oct 2020.

Bridget is an 9th generation farmer with 125 acres on the Ox Mountains. She farms sheep, horses, trees and native Irish bees. 

Darina Allen owns a 100 acre mixed farm in east Cork, with fruit & vegetables, pigs, beef, dairy cows and hens. 

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. Guest -  Feargal Ó Cuinneagáin   Presenter - Brigid Barry, Farming for Nature For more information visit https://www.farmingfornature.ie Contact Brigid - info...

Donna Mullen farms 43 acres in Meath. She explains how she encourages as much wildlife on her farm as possible.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Roscommon farmer Tommy Earley talks about his farm and how - and why - he leaves spaces for nature

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.