Over the last two days, the RDS, Ballsbridge in Dublin has hosted ‘Finding Common Ground’, a festival on biodiversity and sustainability.
As part of the event, the RDS Sustainability Awards which celebrate the work of individuals, farm families and organisations who are enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and rural communities, also took place.
Broughgammon Farm in Ballycastle was among the winners, taking home the Sustainable Farming Award.
Broughgammon Farm is a small mixed farm run by Charlie Cole and his wife Becky who have championed slow food and environmental practices since the farms set up back in 2011.
Broughgammon Farm is a forward-thinking farm that specialises in rearing ethical, sustainable meat (using the bi-products of the dairy industry male calves and male billys) and acts as a showcase farm for Nature Friendly Farming throughout the UK.
The Sustainable Farming Award celebrates the efforts made by an individual or farm family who are sustainably developing their on-farm activities through entrepreneurship, new product development, marketing, and improved efficiencies.
Finding Common Ground Festival
The inaugural two-day event was delivered as one of the RDS Foundation social impact programmes. It incorporated presentations and panel discussions exploring how Ireland can harness the benefits of our natural resources and the circular economy with a view to creating increased awareness, education, and identification of solutions to act on.
About RDS
RDS, the organisation that drives positive change for Ireland, is a philanthropic organisation operating in a membership context to make Ireland a better place for all.
The purpose of the RDS is to inspire, enable and empower positive change. The RDS Foundation delivers programmes, bursaries and activities on an all-island basis across five key areas including Agriculture, the Arts, Enterprise, Equestrianism, Science and Technology.
All events which take place at the RDS venue create the resources to support the work of the RDS Foundation.