Two Donegal farmers have contributed to a new book combining scientific research with local knowledge that gives practical tips on how to create a more sustainable future.
At a time of great challenge and uncertainty for farm families, The Farming For Nature Handbook is a practical guide to protecting and restoring nature.
With contributions from more than 50 Irish farmers, the book also shares their experiences of how working with nature can help reduce costs and improve incomes.
The two Donegal farmers are Boyd Bryce (main pic) from Inch Island and Cathal Mooney (below) from Dunkineely.
While there is widespread awareness of the environmental damage caused by poor farming practices, this book in contrast attempts to highlight the positive ways farmers can sustain and enhance our natural environment, and benefit from the results.
It is hoped the book will become the essential guide to caring profitably for our land.
A small sample of the Donegal farmers’ tips, advice and expertise included in the book include:
“There is no greater anchor that holds the farming cycle in place than the seasons; learning to work with the seasons was difficult for me at first, as I have been following the ‘produce more, bigger, faster’ ideology for too long. I realised a lot of the problems I was facing were self-inflicted by working outside of the natural cycle. December lambing in Donegal is a wise teacher for anyone who listens. When I changed back to working in sync with nature as our ancestors have done for thousands of years, farming got a lot easier and more enjoyable for me, with the benefit of healthier plants and animals and my costs going down.” – Cathal Mooney, mixed farmer and Farming For Nature Ambassador.
Cathal Mooney from Dunkineely.
Boyd Bryce, arable and sheep farmer, adds: “A neat box hedge that isn’t allowed to fruit or flower isn’t a functioning hedge, it is just a pile of sticks.”
The book, which will be launched on November 28th, was inspired by regular requests to the non-profit Farming For Nature project from landowners, farmers, smallholders and growers. They all wanted to learn how best to manage their land, big or small, in a way that enhances habitats, protects profits, and safeguards our natural environment and rural communities.
The project was set up to support, encourage and inspire farmers who farm, or who wish to farm, in a way that will improve the natural health of our countryside.
The handbook shares tips for a better farming future and shows how to manage land in a way that enhances habitats, increases wildlife and harnesses natural processes while protecting livelihoods, food security and profiles. It is not just targeted at farmers but is for anyone who wants to grow, garden and gather better.
The book was conceived and developed by Brigid Barry, researched and mainly written by conservation ecologist Dr. Emma Hart on behalf of Farming For Nature and co-edited by Dr. Brendan Dunford of the Burrenbeo Trust. It is beautifully illustrated with watercolours and sketches by farmer and artist Clive Bright as well as digital images by scientific illustrator William Helps.
The Farming For Nature Handbook, published by Dingle Publishing, has an RRP of €30. It is available to order (and pre-order now) at www.farmingfornature.ie
The Farming for Nature Handbook.