Farming With Nature is an independently verified environmental standard that can be allocated to a farm to reflect the level of SFN (“Space For Nature”- biodiversity) on that farm. The standard can be transferred to a food product, produced on that farm so that the consumer has the option of supporting farmers who support nature.
Farming With Nature is a concept borne out of the BRIDE Project, whereby any farm in the country can be mapped and verified for biodiversity. A Farmland Biodiversity Index (FBI) is assigned to each individual farm based on the QUANTITY of “Space For Nature” (SFN) on the farm and the QUALITY of that SFN.
Space for Nature (SFN) is the amount of land that a farmer has that benefits biodiversity and the environment. This is normally the non-productive part of the farm i.e. woodland, pond, hedgerows, but can also be a productive area, for example winter stubble on an arable farm or multi-species sward on a dairy farm. Space for Nature is usually measured as a percentage of the overall farm area.
A Farm Biodiversity Index (FBI) indicates the quantity and quality of a farm’s Space for Nature. The number shows the percentage of Space for Nature on the farm while the letter indicates the quality grade of the Space for Nature. For example; a farm with an FBI of 12B has a 12% SFN (quantity) and the SFN has a grade of B (quality). The FBI is determined by mapping and assessing the farm using the Farming with Nature application.
The SFN area includes all farmland habitats as per the official list of SFN habitats on the website (See farmingwithnature.ie)
A minimum area of 4 hectares is required, however, smaller parcels will be considered on a case by case basis e.g. in the horticultural sector.
Pesticide use is allowed but not in the land dedicated to SFN.
Fertiliser is permitted. Farmers who have a nitrogen derogation can join the FwN programme but cannot be certified. Only non-derogation farmers can be certified.
No. Organic farming is a separate certification. You can be organic but may not be FwN and the opposite is also true.