From Frustration to Foundation

Fergal Smith's journey into regenerative farming began with a powerful realization that conventional approaches weren't sufficient. After growing up on an organic farm in Mayo, Ireland, and witnessing environmental damage from conventional agriculture, Fergal felt compelled to create a more sustainable approach to farming. His frustration with farming practices that harm soil health and biodiversity drove him to work at Moy Hill Farm in Clare, Ireland, as the Farm Director and Manager at a non-profit organization dedicated to regenerating land and training farmers.

What started as a small community garden in Moy village has evolved into a comprehensive 45-hectare mixed farming operation. Fergal has spent over a decade building a stable, regenerative farming business that now serves as a hands-on training center for regenerative agriculture.

Commitment to Community and a Mixed Regenerative Operation

Moy Hill Farm's impact reaches into community engagement and market innovation through their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model, which emphasizes mutual commitment between farm and customers. "We created a community where people commit to the farm and they commit to us, so we commit to them," Fergal explains. This approach creates stable relationships that support both the farm's financial sustainability and the community's access to fresh, regeneratively-grown produce.

The farm operates as a diverse, integrated system combining 32 cows, 500 chickens, 10 bee hives, and extensive vegetable production across 45 hectares. The team has implemented regenerative practices from the beginning, including no-till methods, cover cropping, holistic grazing, agroforestry, and Korean Natural Farming techniques. This comprehensive approach has yielded measurable results: increased soil organic matter, improved water retention, enhanced microbial activity, and reduced erosion.

The farm's diverse revenue streams include farmers markets, hospitality sales, and on-farm events, all while maintaining profitability as a regenerative operation. Fergal notes that while their labor costs may be higher than those of conventional farms, their input costs are significantly lower, demonstrating the economic viability of regenerative practices.

Pioneering Agricultural Education and Building Ireland's Regenerative Future

What truly sets the Moy Hill Farm team apart is their dedication to knowledge sharing and farmer training. The farm runs an intensive 7-month internship program that teaches students comprehensive regenerative farming practices in depth and on the ground. This hands-on approach covers everything from soil management to livestock integration, providing participants with the practical skills needed to establish their own regenerative operations.

Beyond the internship program, the team actively shares knowledge through farm tours, workshops, social media, and podcasts. Their educational philosophy centers on creating a living education model with continuous mentorship and support for program graduates. "We feel there is enough information out there," Fergal explains. "We need a better network of regenerative farmers to share knowledge."

Fergal's most ambitious project is the development of an Agri-Education Centre that will serve as Ireland's first comprehensive regenerative farming training facility. His vision is to address Ireland's aging farming population and the declining number of new farmers entering the sector through knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and making it easier for farmers to access land. The proposed center will offer programs ranging from intensive 7-12 month internships to specialized courses covering sustainable agroforestry, livestock management, marketing for short supply chains and farm business establishment.

Through Moy Hill Farm's comprehensive approach to education, community building, and sustainable farming practices, they're proving that regenerative agriculture isn't just about healing the land, it's about cultivating the next generation of farmers who will continue this vital work across Ireland.

"We feel there is enough information out there. We need a better network of regenerative farmers to share knowledge," Fergal reflects. This is exactly what Moy Hill Farm is building through their pioneering education programs.