Wexford farmer Joe Roche is being celebrated by Farming for Nature by being named as one of its ambassadors.

A third-generation 115-cow dairy farmer, Roche is in derogation, with the farm spanning 66ha.

He has incorporated a number of measures on his farm, including one hectare of wet woodland, 2.8ha of wild rocky outcrop and the planting of over 400 native trees, with plans for more.

The farm also has healthy hedgerows and managed grasslands, while, in the space of five years, Roche has increased his use of multispecies swards from three to 13ha.

This has improved soil health, water retention and pollinator habitats, while maintaining farm productivity.

He also had a key role in the Ballymoney Stream EIP in 2022, with the stream originating on his farm.

As part of the project, Roche had a pond and a series of small dams dug out to catch and slow sediment and nutrients before they reach the stream.

The new Farming for Nature ambassador will be taking part in an online Q&A on Tuesday 19 August at 8pm (register here),

as well as hosting a farm walk in October, with a date yet to be confirmed.