Regenerative farming festival to take place next week
Fields Saunders And Good Claire Bronagh O'kane Organisers
A new 'farming festival' hoping to build on the increasing interest in regenerative agriculture is set to take place next week in one of the first-of-its-kind events on the island.
It follows the success and growth of Groundswell, a two-day regenerative agriculture festival in England, which was launched in 2016.
Regenerative farming proponents call for farming in a way that prioritises soil health and reducing artificial inputs.
The one-day event will take place on September 7 at the Sheddings, Glenarm, Co Antrim, and aims to encourage farmers, horticulturalists, and food producers across Ireland to learn more about what they believe will be sustainable and viable opportunities for their business in a relaxed and enjoyable day out.
With more than 25 sessions and events throughout the day, expert speakers, international and local, will provide practical advice, hands-on examples, one-to-one consultations, demos and discussions.
Topics include understanding how soil functions, testing and monitoring, mixed enterprise, grazing management, dairy, arable, horticulture, agroforestry, native breeds, ecosystem processes, fibres of the future, food systems change, dung beetles and 'weatherproof farming'.
In-field attractions include a soil pit, soil health tent, plant variety displays, agroforestry consultations and wildlife safaris, as well as trade stands, live entertainment, an evening bar and camping.
Organiser agricultural advisor and Soil Carbon Toolkit soil farmer of the year Bronagh O'Kane explained: "Fields Good hopes to answer some of the challenges around regenerative methods raised by the sector, including productivity and profitability, local practice, and handing land in better condition on to future generations.
“We wanted to make this event a celebration for farmers and producers by farmers and producers. Through our programme of speakers, panel discussions, demonstrations and networking, farmers can learn about increasing profitability by improving soil, plant and livestock health. They can also find out how to understand and monitor soils themselves, how to reduce reliance on expensive inputs and how to increase their farms’ resilience as the climate changes, whilst having a good time out."
The event's over 40 speakers include US rancher, YouTuber and grazing expert Greg Judy; Kyle Richardville and Stuart Johnson from Gabe Brown’s Understanding Ag team; Nikki Yoxall from Pasture for Life; on-farm microscopy expert Tom Fairfax; Helen Keys, entrepreneur in residence at Queen’s University; dairy farmer and dung beetle expert Bruce Thompson; Carrick Greengrocers co-founder Beth Bell; arable farmer and Farming For Nature ambassador Norman Dunne; dairy farmer William Chestnutt; Shay O’ Neill, beef, lamb, and pork farmer, and direct seller; Peter Kennedy of M&S; and Fergal Smith of the holistically-managed Moy Hill Farm.
