Farming for Nature

Brendan Dunford in conversation with Peadar Ó Fionnáin

‘A remarkable handbook’

Michael D. Higgins, Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland 

Farming for Nature, was set up in 2018, as a non-profit initiative whose mission is 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.

Created by Farming For Nature and published by Dingle Publishing The Farming for Nature Handbook contains contributions from nearly 50 farmers in the Farming for Nature network, with over 500 scientific papers backing up their words.

With over 76,000 words and stunning original illustrations, this handbook will guide and inspire you on your farming for nature journey, regardless of your farm size, enterprise type, or starting point.

Over 50 contributors to this book demonstrate that it is possible to farm productively while safeguarding our natural environment, ag cur béim ar an ról dearfach atá ag feirmeoirí i gcothú agus i bhfeabhsú ár dtimpeallachtaí nádúrtha. Their stories show that, at a time when external forces, climate change, political unrest, and commodity prices, are unpredictable, farming for nature can restore a sense of control and hope for the future, as well as safeguarding the health and well-being of rural communities.

‘A handbook like no other … concise, comprehensive and inspiring’

Manchán Magan                                                                   

‘If species could communicate what they need in this world to thrive, this is the book they’d write!’
Ella McSweeney

‘An invaluable resource’

Darina Allen 

‘Written by farmers for farmers’

Dr James Moran

Dr Emma Hart, lead researcher, editor and author of the book, runs a nature reserve in Co. Cork and is a conversationist, a farmer and a contributor to a number of leading academic journals.

Brigid Barry, co-founder of Farming For Nature, conceived of the idea for the book, developed the outline content, collated the farmers’ stories, and managed the project.

Dr Brendan Dunford is an eco-entrepreneur starting a number of successful conservation and farming projects including BurrenLife, Burrenbeo Trust, Hare’s Corner, Heritage Keepers and

Farming For Nature. Brendan edited and shaped the content of the book at each draft.