Mark and Pippa Hackett named Farming for Nature ambassadors

Organic farmers Mark and Pippa Hackett are the latest Offaly farmers to receive a Farming For Nature Ambassador award in recognition of their focus on nature and biodiversity on their farm near Geashill.

Mark and Pippa have been farming organically since 2013, and they have suckler cows, sheep, horses, some hens and mixed forestry.

This award recognises their farming and land management practices in supporting biodiversity, healthy soils, clean water, and climate resilience.

Speaking after the awards this weekend in the Burren as part of the Burren Winterage Festival, Pippa said “We are thrilled to be recognised by Farming for Nature as Ambassadors. It’s a real honour to be following in the footsteps of two other superb Offaly farmers - Ken Gill from Clonbullogue, and Margaret Edgill from Mount Briscoe; We are grateful to the Organic Trust for nominating us for the award, and to the Farming For Nature team for their support and inspiration.”

Pippa and Mark are well known in Offaly as former politicians, and are continuing to practice what they preached by adopting nature friendly practice on their farm.

Mark said: “Many people think that you can’t be profitable while farming with the environment in mind, but more and more farmers are showing that it is more than possible, in fact it can be more profitable to farm in this way. It is certainly more enjoyable and more exciting!

"Every day is a learning day, particularly with farming, so as Farming for Nature Ambassadors we are looking forward to sharing our experiences and knowledge with others in any way possible, and to continuing to learn from others as we all strive to make our farms more nature friendly, more resilient, and more profitable into the future. We’re really delighted to be joining a group of over 120 other Farming For Nature ambassadors across Ireland who are putting nature to the fore in their farming businesses. We’re very excited about what lies ahead for our farm”