Organic Demonstration Farm Walks

Teagasc hold regular organic demonstration farm walks throughout the country. These events are an excellent opportunity for anyone considering entering organic production to see first-hand the differences in operating an organic system. Teagasc Advisors, DAFM representatives, the Organic Certification Bodies and of course the farmers themselves are all available on the day to answer questions and give guidance.

Growing Organics Farm Walks 2023

The ‘Growing Organics’ Programme is a five year programme led by Teagasc, and will promote the adoption of best practice at farm level to increase the future viability and sustainability of the Irish organic sector. The results from the activities on the demonstration farms will be made available to all farmers and researchers to significantly improve the data available on different aspects of organic farming.

Organic demonstration farms have been selected throughout the country to illustrate best practice and monitor key financial and environmental metrics. Providing up to date technical advice to organic farmers is a key objective of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025.

See dates and venues below

Wednesday, 12 July | 2pm

Suckler Finishing

On the farm of Oliver and Anna Dixon, Athena Organic Farm, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. Eircode: F12 VX29.

Oliver and Anna converted to organic in 2010 and attained full organic status in May 2012. The entirely grassland farm of 44 hectares, runs a late spring calving suckler herd, and finishes all stock off red clover silage alone. The farm consists of 44Ha of grassland of which 4.5 hectares is sown to red clover. The farm carries a 15 cow suckler herd finishing all progeny of red clover silage with no concentrates given, at 24-32 months.

Topics and speakers on the day include:

Introduction to the farm; financials and farm performance
Oliver & Anna Dixon
Growing and managing Red Clover silage to maximise returns/animal performance
Nicky Byrne, Teagasc Grange and Chris Daly, ICBF
Managing soil nutrients and management of FYM
Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Soil Specialist, Johnstown Castle
TAMS grants for safety on farm
Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist
Behaviour change, mindfulness and farmer wellbeing
Professor Louise McHugh, University College Dublin
Oliver & Anna Dixon, Host farmers

Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet stakeholders in a village with representatives from Organic Trust, Irish Organic Association, Social Farming Ireland, Bord Bia, ASSAP Advisors; Signpost Advisor.

Friday, 2 June | 12pm

Sheep & Cereals

On the farm of Jason Stanley, Errill, Co. Laois.

View the booklet from the event here

Regional Organic Farm Walks 2023

Teagasc invite all farmers and members of the public to see organic farming in practice and to meet and speak with the producers and sector’s experts.

See dates and venues below

Tuesday, 18 July | 2pm

Suckler Beef and Tillage

On the farm of Con & James Lucey, Ballincurrig, Killavullen, Mallow, Co. Cork. Eircode: P51 R962.

Thursday, 8 June | 2pm

Hill Sheep

On the farm of Micheal Holmes, Newfield, Mulranny, Westport, Co. Mayo.

Tuesday, 27 June | 2pm

Tillage and Horticulture

On the farm of Donal Logue, Muff, Co. Donegal.

Wednesday, 28 June | 11am

Beef - store to finish & Cereals

On the farm of Mark & Grainne Duffy, Bellview, Clogher, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan.

Thursday, 6 July | 11am

Dairy

With farm manager Kevin O'Hanlon on the farm of Marie Pascale Pollard, Ballywilliam, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Previous Farm Walks

2022

Wednesday, 8^th June | 2pm

Sheep, Cereals, Beef Finishing

On the farm of Fergal Byrne, Calverstown Little, Dunlavin, Co. Kildare. Eircode: W91 X8F5.

Find out more about Fergal here

Wednesday, 15^th June | 2pm

Suckler to Beef and Cereals

On the farm of Donal & Frederique Keane, Camelton Stud, Summerhill, Co. Meath. Eircode: A83 TR83.

Find out more about Donal & Frederique Keane here

Wednesday, 22^nd June | 2pm

Beef and Direct Selling

On the farm of Clive Bright, Ardsallagh, Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

Find out more about Clive here

Wednesday, 29^th June | 2pm

Poultry-eggs, Cereals, Beef Finishing

On the farm of Mark & Grainne Duffy, Clogher, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan. Eircode: A75 Y421. Click here for directions

Wednesday, 6^th July | 2pm

Cereals

On the farm of Gavin Tully, Clonhenritte, Camolin, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Eircode: Y21 H2R6 Click here for directions

Wednesday, 13^th July | 2pm

Cereals and Poultry-eggs

On the farm of Declan Houlihan, Corrigeen Organic Farm, Rathcabin, Birr, Co. Offaly. Eircode: R42 C854. Click here for directions

Tuesday, 19^th July | 2pm

Fieldscale Vegetables, Protected Cropping, Cereals, Poultry-eggs, Direct Selling

On the farm of Rose O Sullivan & Martin Fox, Spring Cottage Organic Farm, Parke, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath. Eircode: N91 XFW3. Click here for direction

Wednesday, 1^st June | 2pm

Suckler to Weanling and Sheep

On the farm of John Hurley, Castle Hill House, Knockalaughta, Ballintubber, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. Eircode: F45 FT65.

Find out more about John here

Wednesday, 11^th May | 12pm

Cereals and Milling flour

On the farm of Andrew & Leonie Workman, Dunany Flour Organic, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Find out more about Andrew & Leonie here

Wednesday, 30^th March | 12pm

Hill Sheep, Agri - Tourism

On the farm of Brigid O'Connor, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Find out more about Brigid here

Wednesday, 20^th April | 12pm

Cereals and Sheep

On the farm of Ross & Amy Jackson, Lacka, Carrig, Birr, Co. Tipperary.

Find out more about Ross & Amy here

Wednesday, 2^nd March | 12pm

Organic Dairy Farm Walk

On the farm of Seamus Howard, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Find out more about Seamus here

2021

Organic Dairy Farm Walk - Whitty Family Farm

Joe & Alicia Whitty have been farming organically for 14 years now, but the biggest change to their farming system came in 2015 when they converted their mixed beef/pigs and tillage operation to organic dairying. Many changes have happened on this farm over the past 14 years and the Whitty family opened up their farm to the public on Wednesday, 3 November to tell their story.

View the farm walk booklet here

About the Whitty Family Farm

The Whittys are milking 67 organic cows with all milk being supplied to Glenisk. Daughters Aoife, Niamh and Eimear all play an active role on the day to day farming activities, making this a real family farming effort.

There is a great variety of crops grown on this farm including; permanent pasture, white clover swards, red clover swards, multi species swards, combi crops and spring oats. There is also 10 acres of a designated habitat and 5 acres of forestry on the farm. On the day of the walk the Whittys will go into detail as to how they grow and manage these crops on their farm and how they are reducing their reliance on imported feed by growing such crops.

Visitors on the day will hear from the Whittys about the changes they had to make when converting their farm firstly to organic and secondly to organic dairy. They will learn how they grow such a variety of crops and how they do this without the use of chemical fertilisers. The reliance on clover will be outlined on the day along with the newly sown multi species swards.

While this is an organic event, this walk will be of interest to both organic and conventional farmers. As this is primarily an outdoor event, visitors are advised to dress accordingly.

View Farm Walk Booklets from previous events