What’s inside this farm gate?
An event designed to boost the understanding of nature-friendly farming will take place at a farm in Fermoy at the end of the month.
Inside The Gate will teach people about practices that support healthy soils, clean water, diverse habitats, and sustainable food production.
Blossom Farm in Castlelyons in Fermoy will take part in this national initiative and will be hosting an event from 11am-2pm with capacity for up to 30 people. Visitors can see bee hives in action, harvest honey, and see how cows are fed to make rich dairy products.
Donal Sheehan of Blossom Farm said: “We’re delighted to participate in this year’s Farming For Nature Inside The Gate event to showcase our sustainable farming practices.
“We encourage anyone who would like to see how Blossom Farm milk is produced, and would like to share our vision for a more sustainable dairy farming future, to book their place in what promises to be a very enjoyable event.”
The event is free to attend but capacity is limited.
Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, so those wishing to attend must book online in advance tickettailor.com.
For more information and to register for the events, visit farmingfornature.ie.
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, authored by Farming For Nature co-founders Brigid Barry and Dr Brendan Dunford. It’s 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.
Brigid Barry, co-founder of Farming For Nature, said: “I’m delighted to today launch Farming For Nature’s Inside The Gate, a one-day event taking on 31 August. 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.”
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 31 August, 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”.