3 days ago
Twenty-one farms to open their gates for free one-day sustainable farming showcase
Nature-friendly farms across the country plan to open their gates as part of a sustainable farming showcase.
On August 31, a total of 21 farms across Ireland will be open to the public for a one-day event organised by Farming For Nature, a non-profit initiative that works with farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Farming For Nature was set up in 2018 as a non-profit project established under the Burrenbeo Trust.
Last year, the group launched the Farming For Nature Handbook, a practical guide to protecting and restoring nature. The handbook featured contributions from more than 50 Irish farmers, who shared their experiences of how working with nature can help reduce their overheads and boost incomes.
The 'Inside The Gate' event is designed to boost public understanding of the importance of nature-friendly farming, including practices that support healthy soils, clean water, diverse habitats and sustainable food production.
The 21 farms spread across Tipperary, Wexford, Mayo, Roscommon, Clare, Cork, Kildare, Kilkenny, Galway, Kerry, Laois, and Limerick will take part in Inside The Gate, showcasing their land and the progressive measures they have introduced to enhance biodiversity, reduce waste, and stem their greenhouse gas emissions.
Mimi Crawford and Owen Crawford from Crawfords Farm in Tipperary which is opening its gates to the public as part of the nationwide Inside The Gate event on August 31.
Tickets and more information on each location are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Farming For Nature website. Events are free to attend, but capacity at the individual farms will be limited.
Inside the Gate is supported by RTÉ Ear to the Ground presenter Ella McSweeney, who is encouraging as many people as possible to sign up for a visit on August 31, adding that the day is a 'really valuable opportunity for young and old, from all backgrounds across Ireland, to spend time on some of the most nature-rich farms in the country.'
Co-founder of Farming For Nature, Brigid Barry, said: 'Hosted on 21 farms in 12 counties across Ireland, the 26 different events will give our participating farmers the opportunity to showcase the importance of farms which produce food with nature in mind.'
'In the past, many people in Ireland would have grown up with access to a farm through their extended family.
"With the dwindling number of small-hold farms and farmers, that's not really the case anymore, so this is an opportunity to give urban and indeed rural people access to not just a working farm, but one that approaches food production in a sustainable and nature-friendly way.'
Bruce Thompson of Camcloon Dairy Farm in Laois, which is opening its gates to the public as part of the event.
RTÉ presenter and Inside The Gate patron, Ella McSweeney, said: 'Like so many people in Ireland, I grew up in an urban area with no direct connection to farming.
"Over the years, through my work, I've been lucky enough to visit farms all across the country, and it's given me a huge understanding of how food is produced and how farmers can drive positive change on their land, to the benefit of all of us.
'The fact is that for most Irish people, unless you know a farmer personally, it's not at all easy to get onto a working farm. So I'm really thrilled that Farming for Nature farmers will be throwing their gates open to the public on 31st August.
"It's an unmissable opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to spend time on a farm, meet the farmers and see up close how they produce food while looking after nature. Farming for Nature farmers have created some of the most nature-rich farms in the country.'
