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Tirlán suppliers honoured as Farming for Nature Ambassadors
Agribusiness All Beef Co-op Corporate Dairy
Two Tirlán farm families have been recognised as Farming for Nature Ambassadors, celebrating their leadership in sustainable dairy farming and biodiversity.
Farming for Nature announced 12 new Ambassadors for 2025, with all of the Ambassadors celebrated for practices that recognise the role of nature in supporting a healthy and thriving farm today and for the future.
“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.”
Alan and Cheryl Poole – Wexford
Farming in Gorey, Co. Wexford, the Poole family are 13th-generation farmers managing 42 hectares and milking 72 high-EBI cows. While operating a high-performing dairy system, they dedicate over 20% of their land to nature, including native hedgerows and wildflower areas.
Alan’s background in ecology shapes their ethos:
“We can do intensive and give space for nature… We are the curators of this bit of land.”
Cheryl Poole also led out on the Tirlán Farming for Water: River Slaney project and their land is also part of the National Pollinator Monitoring Scheme. They’ve carefully managed how and when nutrients are applied and reduced chemical nitrogen use by introducing clover and multi-species swards, they have recently installed a sediment tank and two ponds to protect the River Slaney, which runs through their land.
The Poole family have also started the Poole Bio School to help promote farming to communities and schools Home | Poole Bio School
Their approach proves that productivity and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
Conventional Dairy and Farming for Nature in Wexford - Alan and Cheryl Poole
Rachel and James Creighton – Kildare
On their 72.6-hectare farm in Co. Kildare, Rachel and James milk 116 cows, rearing all their own replacements and farming under derogation, while actively reducing chemical inputs and protecting water quality. Their farm boasts native woodland, ponds, and 8 km of hedgerows, and they’ve halved nitrogen use since 2021.
As part of the Farming for Water EIP, they’ve implemented reed beds and silt tanks to prevent runoff, achieving zero pollution in council water testing. Their approach to fertility management includes soil testing, liming, and using protected urea, with chemical nitrogen use halved since 2021. Wildlife is thriving, from pine martens to curlew, and their motto says it all:
“Farming with nature is the future.”
Rachel and James bring a unique skill set to dairy farming, having studied zoology and worked at Dublin Zoo before taking over the farm. Rachel, who completed the Tirlán Sustainable Farming Academy last year, has also done a lot of advocacy work, including representing Ireland at the EU CAP Network Conference, underlining their commitment to biodiversity.
Both families exemplify how Irish dairy farming can deliver high-quality food while protecting ecosystems.
The Creighton and Poole families join the list alongside 6 other Tirlán farm families from previous years who strive to show what’s possible when we work with nature instead of against it. They are leading the way in recognising the role of nature in supporting a healthy and thriving farm today and for the future.
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 being chosen for the Ambassador Award.
Farming For Nature was set up in 2018 as a non-profit project. These awards are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Learn more about their stories at www.farmingfornature.ie.
First Published 3 November 2025