Three farming initiatives in north Tipperary have been shortlisted for sustainability awards

On Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, the RDS, Ballsbridge in Dublin is hosting Finding Common Ground, a festival on biodiversity and sustainability.

As part of the two-day event, the RDS Sustainability Awards will also take place, celebrating the work of individuals, farming families and organizations promoting the economic, environmental and social development of Irish agriculture and rural communities.

Field Exchange at Brookfield Farm, Nenagh has been shortlisted for a Rural Social Impact Award; Fuschia Lane Farm, Nenagh has been shortlisted for a Sustainable Rural Innovation Award; and Larkin’s Hill Farm, Puckane has been shortlisted for a Sustainable Farming Award.

Field Exchange combines farmers, artists, agroforestry practices and drystone skills, with two festive agricultural gatherings at Brookfield Farm, eencouraging creative approaches to agricultural and climate challenges through site-specific artworks and field exchanges.

Field Exchange combines knowledge, creativity and community, allowing farmers to imagine and co-create a resilient rural future. The RDS Rural Social Impact Award recognizes non-profit or voluntary rural groups and organizations that promote or support the sustainable economic and/or social development of their local community.

Fuchsia Lane Farm is a sustainable rural retreat that offers guests an authentic living experience on a sixth-generation family farm. Guests stay in restored and repurposed farm buildings and whitewashed self-catering cottages, all in the local style, and enjoy farm walks, the sauna, cycling and much more.

The recently launched Haybarn Hub offers a group space for workshops, meetings and recreation. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Niall and Inez Heenan offer guests a ‘get away’ destination where the tranquility of the countryside refreshes and invigorates. The RDS Prize for sustainable rural innovation recognizes individuals and organizations that have applied science and technology to help realize the principles of climate-smart agriculture.

Larkin’s Hill Farm is located near the village of Puckane, a very picturesque village on the shores of Lough Derg, County Tipperary. This 300-acre farm has been in the Hogan family for generations and is now a mixed farm, but in Dan’s father’s day it was best known for its award-winning malting barley.

Currently the farm supports a suckler cow herd, tillage and in recent years they have developed a very productive vegetable business on the farm. Fortunately, the land is of really good quality and supports the growth of highly nutritious food. Their approach to farming is to be able to earn a good income for their family with this great asset they have, but doing so using traditional horticultural methods, free from chemicals and pesticides and with care for animals, the environment, the soil and nature as a whole.

The RDS Sustainable Agricultural Award celebrates the efforts of an individual or farming family who sustainably develop their farm operations through entrepreneurship, new product development, marketing and improved efficiency.

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