This is a subscriber-only article
Kerry farmers Thomas and Claire O’Connor from Manna Organic Farm won the Public’s Choice Award at the Farming for Nature awards at the weekend.
The O’Connors manage a mixed organic farm on 25ac in Gleann na Gealt, Co Kerry and produce vegetables, salads, wheatgrass, meat, poultry and eggs, which they sell locally in their shop in Tralee.
They have 15ac of native Irish woodland and 4ac of permaculture, including fruit trees. They also have an agroforestry area and promote pollinator and biodiversity friendly habitats.
“We truly believe that returning to nature and natural farming systems can only create health and a vibrant environment. It can provide natural, nutrient-dense quality food that can be the corner stone for future generations.
“Organic food and caring for the environment we live in is not just a job for us, it is our life, we live it every day: on the farm, in the shop and at home,” the winning couple said.
Farming for Nature
Farmers from across Ireland came together in the Burren this past weekend to celebrate the 2019 national Farming for Nature ambassador awards, sponsored by Bord Bia.
Now in its second year, the initiative identified 10 outstanding examples of how farming can have a positive impact on biodiversity and climate, and over the weekend these case studies were shared through short films, panel discussions and an awards ceremony presented by broadcaster Ella McSweeney.
The farmers from across Ireland included beef, sheep and tillage systems from a range of valuable habitats including species-rich grasslands and heaths, wetlands, woodlands and hedgerows, each with incredible inspiring stories around managing this land in a way that sustains nature and remains productive.
Educational and inspirational
One of the drivers behind the initiative, Dr. Brendan Dunford of the Burren Programme, said: “The stories told by these 10 ambassadors are so educational and inspirational. Their knowledge, passion and eloquence shines through, providing powerful testimony as to how farming and nature can, and must, work in harmony.
“The work of these ambassadors demonstrates that simple actions can make a big difference for the wellbeing of nature and of people and will hopefully inspire other farmers to take some small steps to look after their farm’s wildlife. We felt that these farmers are deserving of respect and support through these awards – they embody all that’s great about rural Ireland."
SHARING OPTIONS: