Welcome to Talamh Beo

Moy Hill Farm

EIP Soil Biodiversity Project Participant

Farmer:

Fergal Smith

Location:

Lahinch, Co Clare

Water Catchment Area:

Mal Bay

Land Use:

Vegetables, Cows, Sheep, Poultry, Fruit, Bees, Agroforestry

Moy Hill Farm

Moy Hill Farm is a 65 acre farm is located in Lahinch, County Clare, farmed by Fergal Smith.

At Moy Hill Farm, they aim to grow worthy food, build soil, regenerate systems, plant flowers and trees and work to leave what is in their care healthier than they found it. They follow holistic farming methods and are even off-grid – their energy and water needs are met through the use of solar panels, wind turbines and rainwater harvesting. Fergal discusses his holisitic approach to farming in this video.

Fergal also considers Moy Hill to be a community: not only cultivating food, but also culture, honesty, accountability, reverence and joy with a deep sense of care for things like: soil, wildlife, the ocean, renewable energy, animal welfare, the most vulnerable in society, and food good enough for our children.

Moy Hill Farm brings their fresh food directly to their local customers and they also supply veg boxes to local families and have fresh stock on their stall at Ennis Farmers’ Market, Ennistymon Market and via their own Farm Shop.

Fergal introduces himself, his farm and his interest in the soil biodiversity project in this short clip.

Fergal introduces himself, his farm and his interest in the soil biodiversity project in this short clip.

You can find out more about Fergal and Moy Hill Farm on their website and social platforms

Our objective is to feed as many people as possible with healthy, nutritious food whilst regenerating our land and ecosystems.

EIP Soil Diversity Project

Fergal’s farm at Lahinch consists of mostly acidic boggy soils or heavy clay, with some peat soils. By participating in the EIP Soil Diversity Project, Fergal has trialled and documented a range of technical innovations  (such as bioNutrient meters) and physical innovations – Fergal used apple trees for their roots to penetrate the compacted soil, and then he experimented with lime to flocculate his clays.

Fergal’s progress through the Nicole Masters Integrity Soils educational course and the results of his farm trials have been recorded in his farm report. At the end of the course, Fergal will be able to diagnose & take action on his soil and plant health. 

Fergal’s farm walk took place on the 17th of May, 2022, discussing horticulture, his mixed farm (suckler, poultry), orchards and his EOV certification (certified regenerative). A video summary of Fergal’s farm walk can be viewed below.

You can check out Fergal’s course certificates and find out more about his trial plot, experiment and baseline soil test results in his project report.

Project Report

Farm Walk

Fergal's Farm Walk

This video shows the highlights of the Moyhill Farm farm walk. Fergal discussed horticulture, his mixed farm (suckler, poultry) and his orchards.

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