Sean O’ Farrell

FARMING FOR NATURE AMBASSADOR 2018
Sean manages a 60-acre certified organic Cloncannon farm on the western slopes of the Devil’s bit Mountains, near Moneygall in North Tipperary. Sean has been farming since he took over from his father 15 years ago and now keeps a 20 cow suckler herd, as well as pigs, poultry and goats.
A University graduate with a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation, Sean is a heritage enthusiast, continuously planting native trees, putting in ponds for wildlife and pollinator strips for his beehives and birdlife. He does this to encourage biodiversity but also for his personal fulfilment and satisfaction ‘for when he has aged 30 or 40 years from now’. He says that this is part of ‘my 5 year plan, my 50 year plan, my 500 year plan’ and feels that farmers should think long-term like the native Americans, ‘seven generations from now’
Sean feels he is on a journey of learning and he is particularly passionate about the importance of soil and making sure it is properly nurtured to ensure good crop health - ‘the microbes and the fungi – so minute yet so powerful, they drive the whole system’. Sean runs numerous education programmes for primary and secondary schools, hosts events for Biodiversity and Heritage Week and opens the farm as an eco-tourist visitor site.

NOMINATION DESCRIPTION
This farmer is passionate about farming in hand with nature , organic food production,protection of natural habitats and heritage and educating the public about farming, wildlife habitats and species. He runs an an engaging education programme for primary and secondary schools, events for Biodiversity and Heritage Week and opens the farm as an eco-tourist visitor site.
See further details about Sean's work on the farm and gallery of photos vwww.cloncannonbiofarm.com

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