Farm Walks 2025 - Lisa Fingleton & Rena Blake: Growing Food, Protecting Nature and Being Creative (All at the Same Time)

Lisa Fingleton and Rena Blake run an eco-social art-based project near Ballybunion, Co. Kerry.

Nature conservation and attracting wildlife is central to how the farm is run. In 2020 the couple planted 4 hectares (9 ac) of their farm under native woodland – a total of 10,000 native Irish trees were planted with the support of Greenbelt, Supervalu and the Native Irish Woodland Scheme. On the farm there are badgers, foxes, cuckoo, barn owls, ravens, jackdaws, pheasants and so much more.

Rena and Lisa are passionate about community engagement and a lot of their work is geared towards educating people about where their food comes from and empowering people to grow their own food. They run the Local Food Project and are host farmers with the Kerry Social Farming. They are strong advocates for small-scale local producers, food sovereignty, low-impact farming and education

Are you starting out on your nature-friendly farming journey and don't know where to start? Apply to the Horse's Mouth Mentorship Scheme and get specific advice for your farm from a fellow farmer. For more info https://www.farmingfornature.ie/your-farm/advice/the-horses-mouth/

WHAT ARE THE FARM WALKS:

• This will be a 2.5 hour (approx.) visit to the farm and will include a walk around with the farmer, a look at some of the habitats/species, as well as the livestock and/or crops. Feel free to engage with the farmer about how 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. 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 no-shows. It costs €12 to register and all funds are circulated back into the farming community.
• Please wear suitable footwear for uneven and potentially muddy conditions.
• Dogs are not welcome. You will be turned away if you arrive with one. We would ask that you please respect these farmers, their land and livestock when visiting. 
• Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk commences.

Thank you to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for supporting these farm walks.

For more info on FFN events, resources, programmes - go to www.farmingfornature.ie