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28 Oct 2025

Donegal farmer wins Farming for Nature Ambassador Award for 2025

Seánie O’Baoill farms 150 Mayo and Connemara ewes and eight belted galloway cows, with biodiversity and sustainability at the heart of his approach

Donegal farmer wins Farming for Nature Ambassador Award for 2025

Seánie joins a growing network of land stewards across Ireland who are building a healthier, more nature-friendly countryside

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28 Oct 2025 10:48 AM

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news@donegallive.ie

Donegal farmer Seánie O’Baoill has been named one of 12 new Farming for Nature Ambassadors for 2025.
The award celebrates farmers across Ireland who are leading the way in nature-friendly farming. Seánie, a sheep and beef farmer in An Fál Carrach manages 80 hectares across upland, coastal, and island landscapes.
Seánie farms 150 Mayo and Connemara ewes and eight belted galloway cows with biodiversity and sustainability at the heart of his approach.
A champion of the Corncrake LIFE project and co-founder of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, he has been a pioneer of many innovative agri-environmental practices from virtual fencing on Toraigh to results-based payment schemes that have boosted Corncrake populations by 35%.
Through his leadership, Seánie has also been instrumental in securing funding for an upcoming European Innovation Partnership project that will explore how to improve the management of commonages in the area.
In total, 18 nominees were put forward by a panel of agri-environmental organisations, government bodies, and the wider Ambassador network for their commitment to biodiversity, community, and producing good food. Each farmer was interviewed and their farm visited by members of the Executive Committee of Farming for Nature before 12 were chosen for the Ambassador Award.
“Wanting to leave the land in a better place for the next generation was a common theme among this year’s nominees,” said Sarah Coonan, spokesperson for Farming for Nature. “It reminds us that preparations for climate change need to start today, to ensure Irish farming continues for generations to come.”

As one of these new ambassadors, Seánie joins a growing network of land stewards across Ireland who are building a healthier, more nature-friendly countryside.
Along with existing Donegal ambassadors Cathal Mooney, Boyd Bryce, Henry O'Donnell and James Breslin, the  Ambassador Network now comprises of 115 farmers, representing every county and farming system in Ireland. This network is committed to learning from each other, sharing knowledge, and showing that farming for nature is a source of pride and purpose.

Farming For Nature was set up in 2018 as a non-profit project. Its mission is to support and inspire farmers who farm, or who wish to farm, in a way that will improve the natural health of our countryside. The Farming for Nature Ambassador Awards are an annual celebration of farmers across Ireland who are leading the way in nature-friendly practices.
READ NEXT: Irish Cancer Society announces COO Edel Shovlin from Donegal as interim CEO

Nominated by their peers, these farmers demonstrate that protecting nature and running a viable farm business can go hand in hand. These awards are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

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