Farming for Nature (FFN) has welcomed 14 new Ambassadors to its growing national network, celebrating farmers who are demonstrating how food production and the protection of nature can go hand in hand.
The new Ambassadors were officially welcomed at the annual Farming for Nature Awards Ceremony in Lisdoonvarna, an occasion that recognises the dedication, innovation and practical work of farmers who are supporting, restoring and protecting nature on farmlands across the country.
Representing a diverse range of farming systems, landscapes and communities, the 14 new Ambassadors showcase the many ways farmers can support nature on their land while maintaining productive and viable farming businesses. Their work highlights the importance of healthy soils, thriving habitats, clean water and biodiversity in building resilient farms and a more sustainable future for Irish agriculture.
The 2026 Farming for Nature Ambassadors are:
Connell Family, beef farmers, Co. Westmeath
Dinny Galvin, dairy farmer, Co. Kerry
Frank Whitney, beef farmer, Co. Leitrim
John Duffy & Laura McGoran, upland beef farmers, Co. Donegal
Kay O’ Sullivan, mixed stock farmer, Co. Cork
Liam Ryan, mixed stock farmer, Co. Wexford
Mark and Pippa Hackett, mixed stock farmers, Co. Offaly
Niall Fitzgerald, horticulture, Co. Kerry
Philip & Eleanor Cussen, mixed stock farmers, Co. Tipperary
Richard & Geraldine Brennan, tillage farmers, Co. Carlow
Ross Newcombe & Siobhan Hubbard, pig farmers, Co. Waterford
Sam & Petra Roch-Perks, beef and tillage farmers, Co. Waterford
Seamus Cosgrove, upland farmer, Co. Mayo
Will Gabbett, tillage farmer, Co. Kilkenny
Lucy Bowler, FFN Network Officer said “The annual FFN Ambassador Awards are a highlight of our year. We love seeing the diversity of new farmers and farming families coming on board every year. They bring new ideas, stories, innovation, energy and inspiration to our growing network and we look forward to sharing their knowledge and experiences as far and wide as we can, to help educate and inspire other farmers and landowners.
This year we are delighted to welcome 14 new Ambassadors, from 13 counties and representing a wide range of farming systems – from pigs to draft horses, from dairy to upland farming, from cereal farming to flower seed production. We look forward to working with these inspirational farmers over the coming year and beyond.”
Established in 2018, Farming for Nature works to support and inspire farmers who are farming, or wish to farm, in ways that improve the natural health of the countryside. Through its Ambassador Network, the initiative celebrates farmers who are leading by example, while creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing, peer learning and practical inspiration across the farming community.
The addition of 14 new Ambassadors further strengthens this nationwide community of farmers committed to making space for nature in the Irish countryside. Their farms and experiences demonstrate that there is no single approach to farming for nature; rather, meaningful change can take many forms, shaped by the land, the farming system and the people who care for it.
Farming for Nature congratulates all 14 new Ambassadors and thanks everyone who nominated farmers, shared their experiences and contributed to this year’s awards. Their commitment is an important reminder that farmers have a vital role to play in protecting and restoring nature, and that sharing knowledge and working together can help build a healthier countryside for generations to come.
The Farming for Nature Ambassador Awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
For more info on our Ambassador network and FFN programmes click here.
