Applications for the new Biodiversity Young Farmer of the Year, are open now.
Launched four years ago, supported by the National Rural Network (NRN), the award aims to showcase the need for sustainable farming and the importance of biodiversity.
Seamus Boland, project director of the NRN said Ireland’s landscape and associated biodiversity are shaped by agricultural activities.
“Native fauna and flora under pressure and sustainable farming methods are essential to protect, enhance and halt the decline of biodiversity in Ireland,” he added.
“It is important to acknowledge that farmers are taking action at farm-level to protect and conserve habitats and wildlife on farms as well as farming more efficiently.”
In association with Macra na Feirme and IFA, the award is part of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition.
A shortlist will be drawn up from entries for the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition and the winner announced in December at an awards ceremony.
Last year’s winner of the NRN Biodiversity Farmer of the Year was dairy farmer Joe Melody from Co Clare.
LSL News.