Growing Organics

Growing Organics is a programme focused on supporting and increasing organic production. The programme, led by Teagasc and supported by DAFM, promotes the adoption of best practice at farm level to increase the future viability and sustainability of the Irish organic sector. 

Upcoming farm walks  |  Previous farm walks

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. The results from the activities on the demonstration farms will be made available to all farmers and researchers to improve the data available on different aspects of organic farming.

These organic demonstration farms will focus on:

• grassland management
• livestock nutrition
• animal health and welfare
• financial management
• environmental sustainability
• crop management

Upcoming Growing Organics Farm Walks

There are no planned walks at present.

Previous Growing Organics Farm Walks

2024

Sheep & Tillage: Joe Nolan, Kilconnor, Fenagh, Co. Carlow

Joe Nolan is farming in Kilconnor, Fenagh, Co. Carlow along with his wife Clair and their son Ciaran. Joe began his conversion to organic farming in March 2022 and reached full organic status in March 2024. The farm of 98ha comprises of a mix of tillage and sheep production with 32.27ha in tillage and 65.7ha in grass/red clover/multispecies.

Sheep

The sheep enterprise consists of approximately 550 ewes which lamb outdoors in March and April. The main breeds of sheep on the farm are Mule/Lleyn/Belclare/Highlander X ewes. Along with the main flock, Joe also has a pedigree flock of Charollais on the farm and sells grass fed hogget rams from this pedigree flock.

Joe makes red clover and arable silage to meet his winter feeding requirement along with growing Oats and Combi-crops. No concentrate feed is purchased for his flock.

Tillage

Joe has expanded his tillage enterprise since his conversion to organics. He now grows oats for Whites Oats, Armagh. He also grows feed crops for other organic farmers and is very interested in building up farm to farm trading relationships.

A 'Growing Organics' farm walk was held on the farm on Wednesday, 17 July 2024.

Download the booklet

• Growing Organics Farm Walk - Joe Nolan, Co. Carlow (pdf)

Dairy & Tillage: Bill George, Arles, Co. Laois

Bill George is farming Coolanowle Organic Farm in Arles, Co. Laois. This farm began its’ conversion to organic farming in 2001 by Bills father in-law Jimmy Mulhall and has full organic status since 2003. Bill is leasing the farm on a long-term lease since 2016 and the main enterprise on the farm of 118 ha’s is dairying with a mix of tillage crops which are used for growing feed for the dairy herd.

A 'Growing Organics' farm walk was held on the farm on Wednesday, 1^st May 2024. The booklet from the farm walk is available to download below.

• Growing Organics Farm Walk - Bill George (PDF)

Suckler Beef, Sheep & Tillage: John Hamilton, Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal

John Hamilton runs a mixed farming enterprise, with a mix of Sucklers, Mid-season lambing flock of ewes and a Tillage enterprise. There is a herd of 20 suckler cows on the farm with all cattle brought through to finish and sold to Goodherdsman. The sheep flock consists of 50 ewes with a scanning rate of approximately 1.8 lambs per ewe. All lambs are finished on farm. The tillage enterprise consists of mixed cropping/combi crop, arable silage and also a pea bean mix which is being trialled on the farm for 2024.

A 'Growing Organics' farm walk was held on the farm on Thursday, 27^th June. The booklet from the farm walk is available to download below.

• Growing Organics Farm Walk Booklet John Hamilton Donegal (pdf)

2023

Sheep & Cereals: Jason Stanley, Co. Laois

The first in a series of 'Growing Organics' farm walks took place on the farm of Jason Stanley, Errill, Co. Laois on Friday, 2 June 2023. Jason converted to organic farming in 2011 and full organic status was achieved in May 2013.

• Jason Stanley's Farm Walk booklet (PDF)
• Teagasc Daily Article: Combining a sheep and tillage enterprise in Co. Laois

Suckler Finishing: Oliver and Anna Dixon, Co. Mayo

The Dixons began looking at organic farming, as an option in 2010. The high costs associated with conventional farming had become prohibitive. After careful consideration, the decision was made to take the organic option. In 2010, the farm entered conversion to organic production and full organic status was achieved in May 2012.

• Oliver and Anna Dixon's Farm Walk booklet (PDF)
• Teagasc Daily Article: A profitable suckler system in Co. Mayo

Suckler Beef: Thomas and Noreen Kavanagh, Co. Kerry

Thomas and Noreen Kavanagh joined the Growing Organics Monitor Farm Programme in 2023. The farm has recently converted from store beef production to a suckling system. The Kavanaghs both feel that this system can work well within the organic system, using grass and the excellent housing present to drive a high level of sustainable production.

• Thomas and Noreen Kavanagh's Farm Walk booklet (PDF)

Sucklers: Eanna Canavan, Doolin, Co. Clare

Eanna farms 41 ha of grassland and 4.73ha of forestry. Eanna has been farming organically since entering conversion in 2018. On the farm there is a suckler enterprise of 15 spring calving suckler cows. The
majority of the weanlings are sold in the autumn, with a few of the best heifers kept as replacements.

A 'Growing Organics'  farm walk was held on his farm on Thursday October 19th 2023. The booklet from the farm walk is available to download below.

• Eanna Canavan's Farm Walk booklet (PDF)