About Us

The National Farming for Nature Festival is a farmer-led celebration of practical, nature-friendly farming.

Our mission is to share real experiences, build connections, and celebrate the people driving positive change across farming, nature, and food. As farmers navigate increasing pressures while being asked to deliver positive outcomes for food, biodiversity, and climate, this festival provides a supportive, practical space to learn from one another and strengthen the growing movement of farmers working with nature.

This is an all-island event, bringing farmers together from North and South to build relationships, exchange knowledge, and strengthen collaboration across the island. It is supported by a cross-border initiative that connects and empowers farmers and their networks to work collectively towards resilient, nature-friendly farming systems, fostering shared learning and leadership at an island-wide scale.

Learning, Connecting, Inspiring

This festival brings together farmers, advisors, and food producers to focus on what works in practice — through hands-on learning, farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange, and inspiring conversations. It’s a space to learn, connect, and be inspired.

Led by Farming for Nature

We are a national project and farmer network established by the Burrenbeo Trust. The festival highlights positive stories of farmers working with nature. Our core partners, BASE Ireland and the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS), play a key role in shaping a programme that is practical, relevant, and solutions-focused.

MEET THE TEAM!

This National Farming For Nature Festival is being put together by a large team of staff, contributors and volunteers. Below is who is behind it.

Farming For Nature

Lydia Lishman, Festival Coordinator: FFN’s Development officer, Lydia Lishman is in charge of the overall coordination of the festival.
Brigid Barry, Programme and Development: FFN’s Coordinator, Brigid Barry has been developing the event with Lydia since its inception. Her specific role is developing the programme and coordinating the speakers.
Grace Clarke, Event Assistant: FFN’s Grace Clarke has come on board to help coordinate the logistics and operations of the event.
Sheila Santos, SEO & Digital Strategy Lead: FFN’s SEO creator Sheila Santos is developing the website and the social media content for the event.
Lucy Bowler, PR: FFN’s Communications and Network Officer, Lucy Bowler is behind the PR support for the event.
Brendan Dunford, Programme Support: FFN’s co-founder, Brendan Dunford has been supporting the festival development since inception.

BASE IRELAND

BASE Operating Team; Andrew Bergin, Mervyn Auchmuty, Rob Coleman, Karl Colton and Peter Murphy have been instrumental in pulling together speakers and volunteers for the event.

NOTS

NOTS staff, Sean McGloin and Kevin Flanagan have been supporting the development of the programme, the ticketing and the marketing.

Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery

We are grateful to David Kemis Walsh and his family for their support and generously hosting this event on their land.

Native Events

We are grateful to Megan Best for her support is helping to guide the logistics of this event.

Contributors and Speakers

With over 60 speakers and contributors, it is a stellar line up – so thank you all for being involved in making this happen.

Food, trade and exhibitors

We are grateful to all businesses and organisations that have decided to join us for the event. We are excited to have you on board.

Volunteers

Finally we are truly grateful to all the volunteers that join us in the lead up to the event and during the event. We couldn’t do it without you.

If you have any questions about the event or wish to contact any of the above, just email us on festival@farmingfornature.ie and we can redirect it to the right person.

None of This Would Be Possible Without Support

The National Farming for Nature Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of our funders, key and collaborating partners. Their commitment to nature-friendly farming, collaboration, and community learning allows us to create a space where farmers and the wider public can connect, share knowledge, and be inspired. We extend our sincere thanks for their collaboration, encouragement, and shared commitment to farming in harmony with nature.

Funders

Key Partners

Contributing Partners

None of This Would Be Possible Without Support

The Farming for Nature Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of our funders, key and collaborating partners. Their commitment to nature-friendly farming, collaboration, and community learning allows us to create a space where farmers and the wider public can connect, share knowledge, and be inspired. We extend our sincere thanks for their collaboration, encouragement, and shared commitment to farming in harmony with nature.