SOLD OUT - join waiting list in case of cancellations

Farm walk & practical actions for nature with Farming for Nature Ambassador Liam & Justina Gavin ' Produced in Roscommon, sold in Roscommon - organic mixed farming and supplying your own restaurant chain'. 

The Farming for Nature (FFN) farm walks are an opportunity for FFN Ambassadors to showcase their contribution to nature and good farming practices on their land.

Liam and Justina Gavin run Drumanilra Organic Farm on the shores of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. 

Liam and Justina manage a 300-acre mixed livestock and horticulture farm. They farm a pedigree herd of Irish Dexter cattle, a flock of Jacob sheep, out-door reared pigs and a flock of laying hens. The organic animal produce is processed locally and sold direct to their customers via their farm shop/cafe or through a box-scheme. The market garden produces organic salads and vegetables which are also sold direct to local customers.

Most of the land is in permanent pasture and they are experimenting with multi-species herbal leys to help regenerate soil and provide nutritionally dense food for the animals. On the farm they have implemented a Holistic Planned Grazing system meaning the animals are moved to fresh pasture daily. During the winter months, some of the animals are housed in dry-bay sheds and the farmyard manure generated is spread as organic fertilizer on the land.

There are pockets of mature broadleaf forestry around the farm, as well nature corridors and diverse hedgerows that are managed for biodiversity. Given its proximity to the lake, this wetland habitat attracts lots of water birds to the land. Other wildlife seen on the farm includes deer, red squirrel, badgers, pine marten, rabbits and hares, as well as birds of prey like buzzards and kestrels. The Gavin family, along with their team, have created a diverse productive farm that operates with care and consideration for the natural landscape and ecology of the land



WHAT ARE THE FARM WALKS:

• This will be a 2.5 hour (approximately) visit to the farm and will include a walk around with the farmer/farm family, a look at some of the habitats and species present, as well as the livestock and/or crops, and a discussion with the farmer about how he/she/they manage the land in support of nature.
• These walks are for farmers and people with an interest in farming for nature. They are meant to be an interactive knowledge exchange between people with a real interest in farming and nature. They are not suitable for children, or for people/groups looking for an ‘organised walk’ in the countryside.
• These walks are non-profit but a booking fee is necessary to minimise the frustrating level of no-shows. It costs €10 to register and all funds are circulated back into the farming community.
• Please wear suitable footwear for uneven and potentially muddy conditions.
• We would ask that you please respect these farmers, their land and livestock when visiting. Dogs are not welcome. You will be turned away if you arrive with one.
• The exact location of the farm walk will be sent via email to ticket holders on the week of the walk (keep an eye on your email & your spam folder as sometimes the emails end up in spam).
• Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk commences.

Thank you to the NPWS and the DAFM for supporting these farm walks.
For more info on FFN events, resources, programmes - go to www.farmingfornature.ie