The RDS Finding Common Ground Festival is an exciting initiative that takes place at the RDS in Dublin, exploring the benefits of natural resources and the circular economy with a view to increase awareness, education, and identification of solutions to promote sustainable living. What is Sustainable Living?
Sustainable living refers to the practice of reducing one’s impact on the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and promoting eco-friendly transportation. Sustainable living is not only good for the environment, but also has numerous benefits for human health and the economy. The festival is an excellent example of how the RDS is working to inspire, enable, and empower positive change in Irish society. By leveraging its broad reach and meaningful connections across its key programme areas – arts, agriculture, enterprise, equestrianism, and science – the festival fosters a vital cross-sectoral dialogue.
Meet the Winners
Arthur and Larissa Preston from Swainstown Farm in Kilmessan were among the winners at the festival, taking home the Sustainable Farming Award. Swainstown Farm is a family-run farm with a rich history spanning over 12 generations and a focus on farming alongside nature to produce healthy, nutrient-dense food through sustainable practices and a focus on soil health. •
- Chemical-free vegetables, flowers, 100 per cent grass-fed lamb and forest-raised pork are produced on the farm.
- The farm embodies a dedication to sustainable living, where tradition and innovation work together to create a thriving, healthy future.
The RDS Sustainable Farming Award celebrates the efforts made by an individual or farm family who are sustainable developing their on-farm activities through entrepreneurship, new product development, marketing, and improved efficiencies. The awards provide recognition to outstanding individuals, farm families, and organisations who have excelled in enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and their rural communities.
Minister Grealish’s Remarks
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Noel Grealish, made the presentations at the festival. He said: “These awards provide recognition to outstanding individuals, farm families, and organisations who have excelled in enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and their rural communities.”
“The awards commend farmers dedicated to sustainable breeding programmes and their commitment ensures that future generations of livestock are healthier, more productive, and increasingly carbon efficient. Congratulations to all category winners, as we celebrate and highlight the most productive and efficient farmers and livestock in the country.”
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Farming Award | Arthur and Larissa Preston from Swainstown Farm |
| Organic Farming Award | Farm name |
| Young Farmer Award | Farm name |
The RDS Finding Common Ground Festival is a key initiative driven by the RDS’s enduring mission to inspire, enable, and empower positive change in Irish society. Recognising the urgent need to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, the festival strategically leverages the RDS’s broad reach and meaningful connections across its key programme areas – arts, agriculture, enterprise, equestrianism, and science – to foster a vital cross-sectoral dialogue. What Does Sustainable Living Mean for Ireland?
Sustainable living is crucial for Ireland, where climate change and biodiversity loss are significant concerns. By adopting sustainable practices, individuals and businesses can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting eco-friendly transportation. Sustainable living can also have numerous benefits for human health, the economy, and the environment. The festival provides a platform for discussion and collaboration among stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and industry experts. This cross-sectoral dialogue is essential for developing and implementing effective solutions to address the challenges of sustainable living.
Examples of Sustainable Practices
•
- Regenerative agriculture: farming practices that improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Eco-friendly transportation: using electric or hybrid vehicles, reducing carbon footprint, and promoting public transportation.
- Reducing energy consumption: using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics, and insulating homes.
The RDS Finding Common Ground Festival is a celebration of sustainable living and a call to action for individuals, businesses, and policymakers to work together to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. By promoting sustainable practices and encouraging cross-sectoral dialogue, the festival aims to inspire positive change in Irish society. Conclusion
The RDS Finding Common Ground Festival is a significant initiative that takes place at the RDS in Dublin, exploring the benefits of natural resources and the circular economy with a view to increase awareness, education, and identification of solutions to promote sustainable living. By celebrating the efforts of individuals, farm families, and organisations who are enhancing the economic, environmental, and social development of Irish agriculture and their rural communities, the festival aims to inspire positive change in Irish society.
