Farming for Nature (FFN) has added 14 new Ambassadors to its national network, recognising farmers and families across Ireland who combine food production with practical action to restore and protect nature on their land. The appointments were made at the organisation’s annual Farming for Nature Awards ceremony in Lisdoonvarna.
Farmers from mixed, upland and specialist systems
The 2026 intake comprises farm businesses from 13 counties representing a diversity of systems, including upland beef, mixed stock, tillage, horticulture and pig enterprises. FFN said the Ambassadors provide practical examples of habitat restoration, soil care, clean water measures and biodiversity enhancement while maintaining viable farm businesses.
“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 syst
The new Ambassadors are listed by name and county by FFN. They include upland beef producers, mixed stock farms, tillage and horticulture enterprises, and pig producers. Several entrants are explicitly described as upland or mixed stock farmers, categories of interest to sheep and hill flock managers.
Who the Ambassadors are
FFN provided the full list of 14 Ambassadors and their counties. The roster is:
| Ambassador | County |
|---|---|
| Connell Family | Co. Westmeath |
| Dinny Galvin | Co. Kerry |
| Frank Whitney | Co. Leitrim |
| John Duffy & Laura McGoran | Co. Donegal |
| Kay O’ Sullivan | Co. Cork |
| Liam Ryan | Co. Wexford |
| Mark and Pippa Hackett | Co. Offaly |
| Niall Fitzgerald | Co. Kerry |
| Philip & Eleanor Cussen | Co. Tipperary |
| Richard & Geraldine Brennan | Co. Carlow |
| Ross Newcombe & Siobhan Hubbard | Co. Waterford |
| Sam & Petra Roch-Perks | Co. Waterford |
| Seamus Cosgrove | Co. Mayo |
| Will Gabbett | Co. Kilkenny |
Practical role and reach
FFN said the Ambassador network is intended to share real-world experience and encourage peer-to-peer learning among farmers and landowners. The group’s Network Officer emphasised the value of diversity in systems and geography in spreading practical approaches to soil health, habitat management and biodiversity on working farms.
- Scale: 14 Ambassadors representing 13 counties across Ireland
- Enterprise types: upland beef, mixed stock, tillage, horticulture, pigs
- Focus: on-farm actions for soils, habitats, water and biodiversity while maintaining productive farms
FFN’s Ambassador programme offers a route for farmers to showcase measures that support nature on productive land, and may be of particular interest to sheep and small-ruminant producers in upland and mixed systems seeking peer examples of habitat and soil management.
