Clive runs a 120-acre organic, 100% pasture-fed beef farm in County Sligo. He sells directly through his Rare Ruminair beef boxes and designs his land as a living habitat rather than a production system.

He explains how holistic planned grazing, agroforestry, and embracing diverse, “messy” pastures create resilience to floods and droughts. This approach improves soil health and produces nutrient-dense food while reducing labour and external inputs.

What We Talk About

• What it means to live within a natural system rather than controlling it
• Holistic planned grazing and managing land without relying on rigid systems
• The role of diversity in building resilience across soil, plants, and ecosystems
• How long-term thinking, or “tree time”, changes decision-making
• Understanding simple cycles like water movement and photosynthesis
• Creating habitats that support wildlife, livestock, and people together

Wider Conversation

The discussion also explores the balance between tradition and change.

Clive shares how it is possible to question inherited practices while still respecting where they came from. He explains why holistic management is less about strict rules and more about learning to ask better questions over time.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode offers a practical and grounded look at what a different approach to farming and living could look like.

It highlights how working with natural systems can improve resilience, food quality, and long-term sustainability.

If you are interested in nature, food systems, or building a more resilient future, this conversation provides a clear and thoughtful perspective.