Book takes a natural look at farming
Mullahoran’s Gerry Fitzsimons is one of a number of Irish farmers to feature in a new book out this week to encourage farming alongside nature.
The Farming For Nature Handbook is billed as a practical guide to protecting and restoring nature. With contributions from more than 50 Irish farmers, the book also shares farmers’ experiences of how working with nature can help reduce costs and improve incomes.
The book was inspired by regular requests to the non-profit Farming For Nature project from landowners, farmers, smallholders and growers wanting 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.
“It may only be a paragraph,” Gerry says of the book which will be launched in Galway this Thursday.
“Of course I was delighted really, but my contribution will be small because my operation is small and limited to the cattle I buy in,” he said modestly.
However the beef man has been honoured to be involved in the Farming For Nature group, having been nominated by a friend in 2022.
He is optimistic for the future of the organics. When the Celt spoke to him last year about he predicted the all the new entrants to the sector would cause price pressure, and this proved correct. However he has welcomed Bord Bia’s drive to find markets in Europe for organic Irish produce.
“Because I have the box scheme going I make a few pound on it,” he says noting he’llearn very little from the livestock he will bring to the factory.
“Unless bord Bia marketing starts to pay dividends, and the organic factories need more cattle - which I think they probably will.”
Farming For Nature co-founder Dr. Brendan Dunford said he hopes the book will help to bring a more sustainable future for our countryside and rural life.
“Two thirds of our countryside is owned and managed by farmers, and we view these farmers as potentially a huge resource in addressing the biodiversity crisis that Ireland faces today. This has seen declines in most of our habitats and species – for instance, it’s estimated that we’ve lost 30% of our semi-natural grasslands in only one decade. To mobilise these ‘farmers for nature’ we need better funding but also better guidance, and this handbook will hopefully help inform the journey ahead towards a more sustainable future for our wonderful landscapes and those who farm them.”
Gerry has the last word:
“I’m looking forward to seeing it, and looking forward to sharing it.”