Farming for Nature

Farming for Nature
  • 5.0 (26)
  • NATURE

Conversations with Irish farmers about how and why they make space for nature while operating a profitable farm. FFN is a not-for-profit initiative set up by scientists & farmers to restore the ecological health of Irish farmland.  FFN on twitter and Instagram

  1. Making money from field to fork: farmers Liam and Justina Gavin, Roscommon

    16/05/2024

    Making money from field to fork: farmers Liam and Justina Gavin, Roscommon

    Liam and Justina Gavin own Drumanilra Organic Farm on the shores of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. When they  took over the farm in 2012, they had two ambitions: to feed their family with home grown food, and to generate a sustainable and independent income from the farm by supplying food directly to the public.  They tell Brigid how they've done it.

    53 min
  2. On fungi and farming, with Thomas O'Connor

    25/04/2024

    On fungi and farming, with Thomas O'Connor

    Thomas O’Connor farms 25 acres in the Gleann na nGealt valley near Camp, Co. Kerry, and sells his fresh organic produce in a farm shop, Manna Organic Store, in nearby Tralee.  He talks about how fungi is the basis of everything he produces on his land.

    19 min
  3. Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer & dung beetle expert

    13/03/2024

    Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer & dung beetle expert

    Bruce Thompson is an intensive dairy farmer from Laois. He has a particular interest in reducing animal remedies through prevention, and is a strong advocate for the urgent need to protect our dung beetle populations.

    20 min

  4. 24/01/2024

    How to make Biochar, with Kildare farmer Kim McCall

    Brigid speaks to Kim McCall about why and how he makes biochar. Kim and his wife Mireille own a 214-acre mixed livestock stock farm in Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare with a herd of 75 pedigree suckler cows, a flock of 80 sheep, as well as a few pigs in the summertime.

    24 min

  5. 05/12/2023

    James Gilmartin, Mixed Stock Farmer, Leitrim: My land's natural carrying capacity

    James Gilmartin is a 7th generation mixed farmer. He keeps a suckler herd and a small herd of Dexters, as well as a small flock of sheep. Part of his farm is commonage and a very important High Nature Value habitat for various species, including the endangered Marsh Fritillary butterfly.

    28 min
  6. Maurice Deasy, brewer, sheep & arable farmer: Why conservation agriculture is worth the risk

    03/10/2023

    Maurice Deasy, brewer, sheep & arable farmer: Why conservation agriculture is worth the risk

    Maurice Deasy farms 120 acres in northwest Tipperary. He grows heritage Irish grains to preserve their genetic diversity, and uses them in his own brewery on the farm. He also has 20 acres of mixed woodland and wetland through his farm.  He tells Brigid how he farms with nature in mind.

    38 min
  7. Aonghus Ó'Coistealbha, Connemara, Galway: How I make a living from 1 acre

    12/09/2023

    Aonghus Ó'Coistealbha, Connemara, Galway: How I make a living from 1 acre

    Aonghus Ó'Coistealbha is a market gardener from Connemara Co. Galway, and he owns 'An Garraí Glas',  a 1-acre farm where he grows chemical-free vegetables including lettuce/salad leaves, onions, tomatoes, radishes, herbs and more. A tremendous amount of vegetables are grown from a small space, not to mention a challenging landscape with plenty of stone and a strong Atlantic prevailing wind.  Aonghus is particularly interested in regenerative farming; composting, soil health and building fertility is of utmost importance to this farming system.

    28 min
  8. Gearoid Maher, dairy farmer, Co. Limerick: Being economically viable while restoring nature on a dairy farm

    29/08/2023

    Gearoid Maher, dairy farmer, Co. Limerick: Being economically viable while restoring nature on a dairy farm

    Gearoid Maher farms 80 cows on 80 hectares in Co.Limerick. He tells Brigid how he manages to operate an economically successful farm while restoring nature on his land.

    31 min
See All (43)

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Conversations with Irish farmers about how and why they make space for nature while operating a profitable farm. FFN is a not-for-profit initiative set up by scientists & farmers to restore the ecological health of Irish farmland.  FFN on twitter and Instagram

Information

  • Creator
    Farming for Nature
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © www.farmingfornature.ie
  • Show Website
    Farming for Nature