Ireland’s native fauna and flora are under threat and sustainable farming methods are essential to protect, enhance and halt the decline of biodiversity in Ireland. The National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award hopes to draw attention to this complex issue, by celebrating farmers who are farming in sustainable manner by protecting and enhancing biodiversity on their farms.
Watch the video below to find out what the 2021 winner had to say regarding the Macra Young Farmer Biodiversity Farmer of the Year
Sustainability is quickly becoming a key driver for every management decision made on farms. Biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss, climate change and pollution. Agriculture can be a significant pressure on Biodiversity.
The National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award hopes to draw attention to this complex issue, by celebrating farmers who are farming in a sustainable manner by protecting and enhancing biodiversity on their farms.
The award is presented by the National Rural Network (NRN) and it is part of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition.
Agriculture relies on biodiversity in many ways: bees pollinate crops, earthworms build soil fertility, bacteria and soil biota breakdown nutrients and birds and insects keep plant pests and diseases in check. It is important to acknowledge that farmers are taking action at farm-level to protect and conserve habitats and wildlife on farms as well as farming more efficiently.
The shortlist for the National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award will be selected from the entries to the 2022 FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition.
The 2022 National Rural Network Biodiversity Young Farmer of the Year winner will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled November 29th in the Radisson Blu Little Island, Cork.
How to enter:
- Enter vis the FBD YOUNG FARMER 2022 application form.
- Applications close: Monday, September 26th (after National Ploughing Championship
- Interview dates: TBC
Adjudication
Candidates were judged under the following criteria:
- Farm business initiative and innovation.
- Knowledge of production costs and returns.
- Vision and planning for the future farm business.
- General agricultural, environmental protection and sustainability knowledge.
- Involvement in agri sector and the community.
- Personal development initiatives.
- Farm safety.
Eligibility Criteria:
All farmers who entered the competition were:
- Under 35 years in January 1, 2022, and a member of Macra na Feirme or the IFA.
- Involved in the running of the farm on which they currently work on for at least three years, either full or part-time.
- The applicant should hold an agricultural qualification.
Other previous National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award Winners were:
Above: Eanna Tiernan, drystock farmer from Co. Roscommon, won the 2021 NRN Biodiversity Farmer of the year award.
Above: Joe Melody, a dairy farmer from Co. Clare, won the National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award in 2020
Above: Alan Doyle, a drystock farmer from Co. Kilkenny, won the National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award in 2019
Above: Raymond Langan, a sheep farmer from Co. Mayo, won the inaugural National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year Award in 2018
The award is presented by the National Rural Network, and it is part of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition.
