Farmers’ experiences front and centre in new water quality video series
A new five-part video series developed by Teagasc that highlights the positive actions being taken by farmers throughout the Boyne catchment to protect and enhance water quality has been launched.
Today, September 22, 2026, farmers, advisors and industry stakeholders gathered at Newgrange Farm, Slane, Co. Meath for a major water quality event which also marked the launch of the ‘From the Fields to the Boyne’ video series.
Focused on the practical on-farm actions that support healthy waterways, productive farming and sustainable land management across the Boyne catchment, the Better Farming for Water event demonstrated the practical measures being implemented to improve water quality while maintaining profitable farming systems.
Attendees heard from a range of organisations working with farmers across the catchment, and visited demonstration stands covering topics including nutrient management, watercourse protection, farm infrastructure, advisory supports and farmer-led actions already delivering positive environmental outcomes.
Farmer experiences
The ‘From the Fields to the Boyne’ video series combines stunning landscape imagery with personal farmer experiences, encompassing the measures adopted at farm level with the pride farmers have in their local environment.
The series features farmers from across the region who have implemented practical measures on their farms and explores the relationship between farming, nature, and the River Boyne through a distinctive storytelling approach.
The five episodes produced and edited by Matthew Walker from Mapped Meaning will be released every Tuesday evening at 8pm over the coming weeks across Teagasc digital channels, with each episode focusing on a different farmer and their individual journey towards improving water quality on their farm.
In the first episode of From the Fields to the Boyne, north Kildare farmer Godfrey Potterton reflects on a lifetime of farming, his family’s connection to the land and the responsibility of protecting the waterways and habitats that begin at the farm gate.
The series will continue each Tuesday evening at 8pm with farmers:
- Kevin Dardis, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath
- Donal O’Keeffe, Graftonstown, Co. Westmeath
- Eamonn Gargan, Mullagh, Co. Cavan
- Bartle & Renee Clarke, Teltown, Co. Meath
Keep an eye on the Teagasc YouTube channel over the coming weeks to watch and engage with the From the Fields to the Boyne video series as new episodes are released.
Pictured at the Kepak/Teagasc Better Farming for Water Farm Walk are Mick O’Dowd, Kepak; Noel Meehan, Teagasc; John Horgan, Kepak and Chair of the Boyne Catchment Water Group; Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc; Fiona Doolan, Teagasc; Sean Martyn, Tirlán; Rory Farrell, Lakeland Dairies; and Rebecca Thompson & Luke McDermott, Kepak.
The event also marked the launch of the ‘From the Fields to the Boyne’ video series. Pictured with series producer Matthew Walker are a number of the farmers featured in the series: Godfrey and Liz Potterton, Co. Kildare; Donal O’Keeffe, Co. Westmeath; Kevin Dardis, Co. Westmeath; and Bartle and Renee Clarke, Co. Meath.
A platform to showcase positive stories
Commenting on the event and the video series, Fiona Doolan, Boyne Catchment Coordinator with Teagasc, said: “There is excellent work happening on farms right across the Boyne catchment and we wanted to create a platform that would showcase those positive stories.
“Farmers are central to improving water quality outcomes and this series gives them an opportunity to share their experiences in their own words.”
Fiona Doolan continued: “We hope the series will encourage discussion, inspire action and highlight the important role agriculture has to play in safeguarding water quality for future generations.”
Also speaking from the event and welcoming the turnout and engagement, John Horgan, Chair of the Boyne Water Quality Catchment Group, said: “The enthusiasm and participation shown by farmers on the day demonstrates the commitment that exists across the catchment to improving water quality. Events like this are important because they bring together farmers, advisors, and stakeholders to share knowledge and learn from one another.
“The new video series is a valuable addition to that work, helping to shine a spotlight on the positive actions already taking place and encouraging others to consider measures that can make a difference on their own farms,” John Horgan added.
The Better Farming for Water event was delivered through collaboration between Teagasc and Kepak, supported by Tirlán and Lakeland Dairies who are supporting water quality improvement initiatives throughout the Boyne catchment.
Featured image caption: Pictured at today’s Kepak/Teagasc Better Farming for Water Farm Walk were John Horgan, Kepak and Chair of Boyne Catchment Water Group; Noel Meehan, Head of Water KT, Teagasc; Fiona Doolan, Boyne Catchment Co-Ordinator, Teagasc; and farmers Godfrey Potterton, Co. Kildare, and Donal O’Keeffe, Co. Westmeath. Godfrey and Donal feature in the new video series From Fields to the Boyne, produced by Matthew Walker, also pictured.