Ballyconnelly Farm - Decade to Diversify

Aim

We’re a small, regenerative farm in County Antrim working to restore biodiversity & reconnect people with nature.

Help us raise £20,000! We have put a target of £1000 with the hope of buying a community polytunnel, however aim to raise a lot more to help us restore an old farm building for community workshops and events.

Taking inspiration from our rich biodiversity and heritage we’re so fortunate to have on Ballyconnelly Farm, we reflect on our history whilst looking ahead to our vision of a wild future.

Over the last 200+ years the farm has operated in many different ways but now, nature is our commodity.

Nature needs our cumulative creativity to design nature-based solutions now more than ever.

Showcasing some of the native species we have here on the farm, we love sharing our journey with our audiences via Instagram @ballyconnellyfarm and our website. 

So what do we do?

• By campaigning and growing, we strive to educate and enable access to local, sustainably produced food for all members of society.

• We aim to protect and re-wild British and Irish ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity.

• We want to catalyse a shift in consumer demand to support a growing green economy whilst restoring biodiversity for future generations.

Our Conservation work

By trade, Ruby Free and Craig work in the conservation charity sector; so, giving the farm back to nature, turning their faming system into an ecosystem, is only natural for them.

We're more motivated than ever to bridge the gap between farmers, consumers and the growing number of environmentalists.

We believe we have a unique perspective that allows us to understand the needs and priorities of each group. It's our mission to connect each integral party through a desire to heal the damage we have caused to local landscapes historically, and what impact intensive agriculture has today. Access to wild landscapes is such an important factor in our lives. We believe, when you are immersed in rich and abundant habitats, you are more likely to have a connection with, and desire to protect the world around you.

Ecosystem health and biodiversity are in decline across Northern Ireland with 11% of our species at risk of extinction. On the farm, we are diversifying to restore an abundance of native species and provide access to wild habitats. We are developing conservation strategies to protect and preserve Priority Species in Northern Ireland. Collaborating with farmers, activists and local communities, we are on a mission to restore ecosystem services at Ballyconnelly Farm.

Using the money raised through the Wild Isles X Aviva Community Fund, we will purchase a community polytunnel. If we exceed our fundraising goal, we will restore an old farm building for community workshops and events. 

Please help us to carry on making a difference to people and nature. 

Thank you.

This project successfully funded on 7th June 2023