Roscommon farmer to give insights on nature-friendly farming

A County Roscommon farmer will join the first-ever Farming for Nature Festival in June to share practical knowledge and real-life experience of sustainable farming.

Taking place at Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery in Stradbally, County Laois, on June 22nd and 23rd, the festival will provide an opportunity for farmers to learn from one another, explore new approaches, and connect with a growing community aiming to build more sustainable food systems.

Tommy Earley from Mount Allen Farm on the shores of Lough Allen in North Roscommon will be on hand to offer his expert insights during the two-day festival.

Created by Farming For Nature, a national network of farmers who promote sustainable farming practices, the event is being delivered in partnership with BASE Ireland and the National Organic Training Skillnet.

The schedule runs throughout the day and features entry-level discussions and in-depth technical sessions focusing on topics such as soil health, biodiversity, water resilience and farm finance.

Alongside scheduled talks, attendees can take part in field demonstrations and drop-in workshops, providing hands-on learning and practical skills that can then be applied directly on their own land. The day will conclude with fireside chats, followed by food, music and entertainment into the evening.

Tommy Earley operates his 100-acre farm on the shores of Lough Allen. He has a deep knowledge and passion for the natural environment and shares the rare species and habitats on his farm with visitors and researchers. He has set up a community garden on his farm to encourage people to think about where their food is coming from. By teaching no-dig principles, he hopes to reconnect people to the soil. Tommy is a Farming For Nature Ambassador.

He said that he was looking forward to speaking at the festival.

“All involved are so passionate and you won’t be there long before you realise you have met your tribe. I farm organic beef, vegetables, and forestry on a wetland farm. It has its challenges but it’s also rewarding. By combining best practices from our ancestors with the newest techniques we can build resilience in our food production and community. We have a small Community Garden on the farm that we want it to be an example of this resilience for to share with others,” he said.

Lydia Lishman, event organiser with Farming For Nature, explained that “this farmer-led gathering is about creating a space for farmers to learn, connect and share knowledge. We want to focus on real stories — the successes and the challenges — and show how good food begins with good farming. By bringing together a wide network of partners and farmers, we hope to inspire change and grow a movement that works with nature, not against it.”

The Farming for Nature Festival 2026 is supported by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, Lifes 2 Good Foundation, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The festival aims to give attendees space for honest conversation, peer-to-peer learning and practical action. This will ultimately help farmers navigate challenges while building a more resilient ecology capable of sustaining both biodiversity and personal livelihoods.

Further information, including ticket details and accommodation options, is available via the event’s website (www.farmingfornaturefestival.ie).