Applications have now opened for the Farming for Nature awards and people can now nominate farmers who they think are worthy of winning an award.

The awards are sponsored by Bord Bia and have entered their second year of existence.

Farming for Nature awards were developed by a group of heritage enthusiasts including project co-ordinator Brigid Barry and Dr Brendan Dunford.

“Farming is under a lot of pressure right now and unfortunately so is nature,” Dunford said.

“We believe that, with properly targeted funding and good technical support, farmers can do an awful lot to help our threatened habitats and species and benefit themselves as a result.”

Common Agricultural Policy

With the renewal of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) due to commence, Dr James Moran of GMIT also noted the importance of the award as more focus is put on farming in sympathy with nature.

Kim McCall, an award ambassador said that taking part had given her a “boost”.

“Very often, as a farmer, you work in isolation, especially if you do something a bit different from the “norm”. It gives a great boost to know there are a lot more farmers who do the same thing in their own corner and to feel supported in your ideas,” McCall said.

Nomination forms can be found by clicking here.

Applications can made up until 12 May this year.