Kerry farmers share insights on Farming for Nature Fest
TWO KERRY organic farming experts will share their insights into nature-friendly farming at the first Farming for Nature Festival that’s taking place in Stradbally, County Laois on June 22nd and 23rd.
Thomas O’Connor runs a 25-acre mixed organic farm in Gleann na Gealt, Camp, with his wife Claire.
Rooted in community, biodiversity and nutrient-dense food production, the farm has been operating since 2007 and has transformed marginal land into a thriving system producing vegetables, salads, wheatgrass, meat, poultry and eggs – all of which is sold locally through their shop, Manna Organic Store in the Island of Geese in Tralee.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
IFA: Carbon farming can only succeed if farmer has control
Unless the practice of carbon farming is developed in a manner that is exclusively voluntary, focussed upon the practitioners and attractive in terms of financial return, it is unlikely to be going to be adopted, the Chairman of the Environment & Rural Affairs Committee at the IFA, John Murphy, maintains.
There are several constructive elements to the report by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following public consultation, but critical concerns such as whole-farm approaches and the practical implications remain unclear in the structure.
“Farmers will only engage with carbon farming where the financial return is worthwhile, predictable and transparent. Any carbon price must adequately cover certification, verification and auditing costs and provide a meaningful income for farmers,” he insists.
Read the full story in Kerry’s Eye Digital Edition.
