Celebrations at Shy By Nature Farm in Inver

The community-focused regenerative farm, based in Inver brought volunteers, friends and family together to toast the end of their 20-week veg box pilot. 

Ronan McNern and his team of volunteers have delivered 25 to 35 veg boxes a week for the last 20 weeks to customers around South Donegal. Ronan believes they can get the number of veg boxes up to 50 next year. 

A successful first year was rounded off with a celebratory lunch on October Bank Holiday Saturday. Ronan is optimistic for the future of regenerative and organic farming in Ireland: “There really is a sense of a community growing.”

He’d love to build a network with other vegetable growers across the county in the future.

“It speaks to collaboration more than competition,” he says.

Ronan is not a traditional farmer. Before studying regenerative agriculture, his background was in PR and marketing. He led the PR for the social movement Extinction Rebellion in the UK. His history in activism is why community and building networks are so important to him and his work. 

Using regenerative practices means the plants are healthier, and full of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. 

“Most people eat vegetables every day, we should take the best possible care of them” says Ronan “A future where we eat vegetables that are local, regenerative and organic. That’s a beautiful future.”

Shy By Nature is owned by Ronan and his brother Gareth, an engineer based in Letterkenny. Volunteers, family, friends and neighbours have helped along the way. 

Ronan is grateful and speaks very fondly of the people that have helped and they speak very fondly of him. 

“Shy By Nature is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, with the most welcoming and uplifting energy,” says Jamie Rainer, who volunteered with Shy By Nature.

There is a sense of adventure, community and joy on the farm. Ronan described this year as an experiment to see if he could do it and the answer seems to be a resounding yes. 

“Learn to fail, be willing to look stupid. Allow yourself to look stupid to actually learn” says Ronan.

As well as the veg boxes, customers also receive an email from Ronan describing that week's produce and giving some recipe ideas.

 If you’d be interested in volunteering then you can email: shybynaturefarm@gmail.com Shy By Nature also works with local restaurants including Corby Pantry in Ardara, Simple Simon's, The Old Stone and Quay West in Donegal Town.