Bronagh Brennan and son Patrick Óg.
The fourth series of the Ulster Farmers’ Union’ podcast, Farming 24/7, was released last month, with two more episodes yet to come in September. The episodes, produced and presented by UFU communications officer Tracey Donaghey, are wide ranging, covering local agriculture to farming in New Zealand and global food systems.
Northern Ireland agriculture
Bronagh Brennan has been involved in agriculture her whole life and through her role with Rural Support she has been a much-needed confidant, guiding farm families through difficult discussions and challenges.
At present, Bronagh is on maternity leave, but life is as busy as ever for the mother of three, farmer’s wife, farmer, and UFU Next Generation Forum member.
In this chat, Bronagh discusses her up bringing on a hill farm on the Coleraine mountain to dairy farming in Rasharkin, the pressures local farmers are facing and farming in Australia. Click here to listen.
Farming in New Zealand
Alistair and Genna Bird farm in North Canterbury, New Zealand, where they live with their two children. Their farm The Grange, is predominantly a sheep and beef farm, but it also offers trails for horse riders and on-farm accommodation, enabling members of the public to visit.
Featuring in this episode of the UFU podcast, Alistair and Genna shed light on what it’s like to be farming in New Zealand right now, their farming systems, and the government’s decision to treat methane differently going forward. Click here to listen.
Transforming food systems
In May of this year, Irish woman Sophie Healy-Thow was awarded the prestigious Global Citizen Prize, at an award ceremony in New York for her work in food and nutrition. She was one of six who were recognised at the event.
Sophie is a Global Youth Campaigns Coordinator for Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and is a founder of Act4Food, a global youth led campaign aiming to transform food systems.
Sophie discusses the importance of farmers as sustainable food producers, the different forms of food security and why engaging with young people matters. Click here to listen.
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Alastair and Genna Bird.
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Sophie Healy-Thow was awarded a Global Citizen Prize for her work in food and nutrition, in New York in May. (L-R) Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, Sophie Healy Thow and C.D Glin. Photo, David Andrako for Global Citizen @DavidAndrako.
