Longford farmer contributes to new book on a more sustainable farming future

Irish farmers — including Noel Kiernan from Longford — have joined forces for a new book combining scientific research with local knowledge that gives farmers and others practical tips on how to create a more sustainable future, while protecting land and nature.
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 farmers’ experiences of how working with nature can help reduce costs and improve incomes.
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 Farming For Nature Handbook will become the essential guide to caring profitably for our land.
The book, was launched on November 28th, 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.

The Farming For Nature 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.
Noel Kiernan, a beef, sheep and forestry farmer from Ballymahon, is one of the contributors, and shares his views on sustainable farming in the book.

He says:“Hedges should not be cut low, should be allowed to produce fruit and should provide opportunities for nesting birds and insects. Fieldfare and redwing especially will benefit from this.”
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, was launched on November 28th, 2024. RRP €30. It is available to order (and pre-order now) at www.farmingfornature.ie
The book was supported financially by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Lifes2Good Foundation.

Read next: https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/local-news/1673924/trocaire-urges-longford-to-give-a-gift-that-truly-matters.html