Organic farmer, Michael McManus, from Leitrim, is the latest addition to the Farming for Nature (FFN) ambassador network.

He farms a suckler herd over 180ac and describes the farm as a home, not just for the family, the animals and the crops, but a "place where nature is nurtured and thrives and benefits our ecosystems”.

Michael's farm is an organic enterprise and its 180ac is comprised of three distinct areas:

All three of these distinct areas contain their own rich variety of grasses and vegetation, he explained.

Michael operates a rotational grazing system, whereby the animals are moved from one area to the next throughout the year.

They are moved in accordance with the stage of growth they are at, or whether they have calves on them at the time.

The natural meadows have not been reseeded and provide great biodiversity on the farm.

The cattle overwinter outdoors where they are supplemented with some meal and hay or silage.

Michael is interested in agroforestry, permaculture and preserving traditional methods of farming, and he values nature, heritage and biodiversity on his farm.  

Now in its fourth year, Farming For Nature was set up with an aim to source, share and celebrate the stories of farmers across Ireland who manage their land in a way that sustains nature, while providing a livelihood for their family.

Michael is part of this year’s 23 ambassadors that come from across Ireland and include beef, sheep, forestry, dairy, horticulture and tillage farmers who manage a wide range of very valuable habitats including species-rich grasslands and heaths, wetlands, woodlands and hedgerows.