Jim Cronin has a 16-acre organic market garden farm in Co Clare.
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Clare farmer Jim Cronin, has been named this year’s Farming for Nature winner.
Jim calls himself an “intensive market gardener” and supplies direct to customers and the local SuperValu in Killaloe with fresh vegetables. He also runs workshops on organic horticulture from his farm.
His commitment to soil health and awareness for the symbiosis of biodiversity on his farm was noted by the judging panel.
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From his 16ac plot he generates €60,000 worth of produce every year. He bought his plot of land 32 years ago and said he always wanted to be a farmer when he was growing up.
Farming for Nature co-ordinator Brigid Barry said: “We had an outstanding response with thousands of votes cast in the last few weeks.
“Jim has, for many years, been an inspiration to farmers far and wide and he is a very worthy winner, he is a great example of just how much nature you can support on a small holding whilst also having a viable family business.”
Jim has, for many years, been an inspiration to farmers far and wide
We felt that these farmers are deserving of respect and support
Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett joined the virtual event to present the ambassadors with their awards and announce the public choice winner.
The knowledge and passion of all the finalists was commended by Dr Brendan Dunford of the Burren Programme.
“The work of these ambassadors demonstrates that simple actions can make a big difference for the well-being of nature and of people and will hopefully inspire other farmers to take some small steps to look after their farm’s wildlife,” Dunford said.
“We felt that these farmers are deserving of respect and support through these awards: they embody all that’s great about rural Ireland.”
The shortlist included:
John McHugh, organic dairy farm, Co Laois.
The Shackleton family, organic beef and lamb farm, Co Cavan.
Jim Cronin, organic market garden farm, Co Clare.
Stephen Morrison, suckler farm, Co Kildare.
Sinead Moran and Michael McGrath, micro-dairy farm, Co Mayo.
Andrew Bergin, tillage farm, Co Kildare.
Trevor Harris, mixed farm and horticulture, Co Kildare.
Thomas Keane, hill sheep farm, Co Galway.
The National Farming for Nature Ambassador Awards is sponsored by Bord Bia and supported by a wide range of farming and conservation interests including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Rural Network.
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Clare farmer Jim Cronin, has been named this year’s Farming for Nature winner.
Jim calls himself an “intensive market gardener” and supplies direct to customers and the local SuperValu in Killaloe with fresh vegetables. He also runs workshops on organic horticulture from his farm.
His commitment to soil health and awareness for the symbiosis of biodiversity on his farm was noted by the judging panel.
From his 16ac plot he generates €60,000 worth of produce every year. He bought his plot of land 32 years ago and said he always wanted to be a farmer when he was growing up.
Farming for Nature co-ordinator Brigid Barry said: “We had an outstanding response with thousands of votes cast in the last few weeks.
“Jim has, for many years, been an inspiration to farmers far and wide and he is a very worthy winner, he is a great example of just how much nature you can support on a small holding whilst also having a viable family business.”
Jim has, for many years, been an inspiration to farmers far and wide
We felt that these farmers are deserving of respect and support
Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett joined the virtual event to present the ambassadors with their awards and announce the public choice winner.
The knowledge and passion of all the finalists was commended by Dr Brendan Dunford of the Burren Programme.
“The work of these ambassadors demonstrates that simple actions can make a big difference for the well-being of nature and of people and will hopefully inspire other farmers to take some small steps to look after their farm’s wildlife,” Dunford said.
“We felt that these farmers are deserving of respect and support through these awards: they embody all that’s great about rural Ireland.”
The shortlist included:
John McHugh, organic dairy farm, Co Laois.
The Shackleton family, organic beef and lamb farm, Co Cavan.
Jim Cronin, organic market garden farm, Co Clare.
Stephen Morrison, suckler farm, Co Kildare.
Sinead Moran and Michael McGrath, micro-dairy farm, Co Mayo.
Andrew Bergin, tillage farm, Co Kildare.
Trevor Harris, mixed farm and horticulture, Co Kildare.
Thomas Keane, hill sheep farm, Co Galway.
The National Farming for Nature Ambassador Awards is sponsored by Bord Bia and supported by a wide range of farming and conservation interests including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Rural Network.
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