Nature-friendly farms to open their gates for unique 'Inside the Gate' open farm day

FARMING for Nature invites visitors to experience farming and nature up close at their Inside the Gate event, taking place on 20 farms across 12 counties on Sunday August 30th.

The public are being invited to step inside the farm gate this August as four Tipperary farms open their farm gates as part of Inside the Gate, a nationwide family-friendly open farm day.

Taking place on Sunday, August 30th, Inside the Gate gives visitors a unique opportunity to explore a working farm, meet the farmers and experience first-hand how food can be produced while supporting wildlife, healthy soils, clean water and biodiversity. With guided walks, demonstrations and the chance to learn about a variety of farming systems, each participating farm offers its own unique insight into the practical ways farmers are working with nature while producing nutritious food.

The Tipperary farmers taking part in this year's event include: beef farmer Tony Grogan of Aherlow Angus Farm (Aherlow), sheep farmer and beekeeper Ailbhe Gerrard of Brookfield Farm (Nenagh), mixed stock farmer Sean O'Farrell of Cloncannon Bio Farm (Moneygall) and dairy farmer Mimi Crawford of Crawfords Farm (Cloughjordan).

There will be morning events held on both Aherlow Angus Farm and Brookfield Farm, catering for up to 30 people. Afternoon events will take place on Crawfords and Cloncannon Farm, catering for 50 and 30 people respectively. Each farm will offer a different experience and perspective, and the farmers are excited to welcome the public to their farms to share their stories, experiences and insights first-hand with attendees.

Mimi Crawford, farmer and Inside the Gate host, said: “Each year we look forward to welcoming people to the farm to meet the animals and experience the simple joys of a day on the farm. We are always excited to share a glimpse of how small-scale, nature-friendly, traditional farming practices produce the most glorious and nutritious food. It is a great day for connecting with others and with the soil beneath our feet.”

Adult tickets cost just €5, children go free and places are limited for each event, so early booking is recommended. Please read about the different events on offer to get an understanding of what you can expect on the day, as well as timings, ticket booking options and FAQs. All info is available on their webpage here: www.farmingfornature.ie/inside-the-gate .

Brigid Barry, co-founder of Farming for Nature, said: "Inside the Gate is all about creating a connection between people and the farms that produce their food. For many people, especially those living in towns and cities, opportunities to visit a working farm are few and far between. This event gives visitors the chance to meet farmers, ask questions and see first-hand how farming and nature can thrive together. Every farm taking part has its own story, but they all share a commitment to caring for the land while producing food. We hope people leave inspired by what they've seen and with a greater appreciation of the role farmers play in protecting nature. Following the success of Inside the Gate 2025, we are excited to run this special event again this year.”

Inside the Gate is a family-friendly event and welcomes visitors of all ages, whether you're interested in farming, food, wildlife or simply looking for a memorable day out. Every visit offers a chance to connect with the people behind our food and experience how nature-friendly farming is making a difference across Ireland.

For tickets and more information, visit www.farmingfornature.ie/inside-the-gate .

Farming for Nature is supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.