Farm family championing soil of Laois

To mark World Soil Day, Minister of State Pippa Hackett took the opportunity to visit Thomas, Florence and David Fennelly’s farm near Emo. 

The Fennelly’s are dairy farmers participating in the Teagasc Signpost programme and are carrying out activities to reduce the GHG and ammonia emissions, to improve water quality, soil health and the overall biodiversity on their farm. 

Minister Hackett commented on the visit.

 “I was delighted to hear what the Fennellys are doing to make their farm more sustainable. Their focus on implementing sustainable soil management practices and improving soil health on their farm is evident. Healthy soils play a crucial role in regulating water retention and availability in agriculture.

“The health of the soil, and the quality and availability of water are interconnected. Both are an integral and necessary part of our lives and I welcome that World Soil Day is highlighting this important interconnection.”

World Soil Day is an international day to celebrate Soil. It is held annually on  December 5 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources. World Soil Day 2023  had the theme " Soil and water: a source of life".

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine says it supports the stated ambition of World Soil Day of raising awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.