2009 teagasc organic demonstration farms announced

From 400 cow dairy farms in north Donegal to clay ovens in Kildare and carrots in Cork, the 2009 Teagasc organic demonstration farms have been announced.

The organic sector can consider itself blessed that the number of organic demonstration farms has remained stable, when all around, the scythe of agri-cutbacks has been swung.

In 2005, when the first of the series began, just three farmers were involved: James Mulhall (milk, beef, lamb in Laois), the Colchesters (Turkey, chicken, lamb, beef in Kilkenny) and Fintan Rice (Dairy in Tipperary). All three are having walks again.

I know and have been to the farms of a reasonable number of these farmers, so perusing the list, I immediately noticed a positive: all are relatively happy with their farming and food business lot. Many are also diversifying to keep ahead of the game. A significant number are growing and expanding their enterprises.

There are also newcomers which reflects that fact that the organic sector is growing, albeit from a low base.

One of the most interesting of the newcomers is quite a distance away from almost everywhere: north Donegal. Its a long trip but it just might be worth getting up to Ian Witherow's leased holding.

There are less than 20 organic dairy holdings in Ireland, but when this one becomes fully certified in March of next year, 400 dairy cows will be supplying organic milk into the system

Witherow will be supplying Donegal Creameries all year round, which will involve both Spring and Autumn calving. According to a recent report by Pat Barry, who has helped with the conversion process: �In 2008, the herd consisted of 50% first calvers and averaged 5650 litres at 4% butterfat and 3.35% protein using 400 kg concentrates�.

The holding, having previously been in cereals, was reseeded with a sward including red and white clover.

As housing modifications had to be made, Dairy farmers interested in the organic option may learn from Witherow's shed conversion experience. This has been cited as one of the main changes needed in converting a holding to organic.

What's perhaps most interesting about this holding is that the diary unit Witherow is leasing is just one part of a 2500 acre organic farm, an Grainin, which will become one of Europe's biggest organic farms when fully certified next year.

That in itself could well make for a worthwhile visit on Thursday 2nd July.

Another newcomer to the series includes Colm O Regan (Kinsale, Cork) on Thursday 18th June for horticulture and poultry. The other and previous organic horticultural walks tended to be more northerly (mid Clare, east Galway and Offaly), so this is an opportunity for those interested in this option in the south west.

Peter and Jenny Young (Kildare) have held walks before. However, this time they are holding two, including one which specifically includes farm diversifications. This latter area has been historically underrepresented on the walks, so this makes for a welcome change.

And if any holding in Ireland could be seen as a model of diversification, then surely its the Young's Castlefarm.

There are many innovative examples of their diversification. They have diversified into different food enterprises, along with their mainstay of dairying, including poultry, cheese and chutneys.

Along with production -specific diversifications, they have developed numerous other uses for their land and skills.

They currently offer 32 6x5mt allotments, and bring in experts to offer classes once a month for budding gardeners. More than this, they offer courses for farmers, landowners and community groups to learn how to offer allotments to the public.

They also offer courses in a range of food and sustainability-related areas such as outdoor clay oven building, willow weaving and many aspects of farming and growing. They even take school tours.

This second of the Young's walks, which will also feature horticulture and their farm shop, is on Friday August 28th .

Overall, both the geographical spread of the organic demonstration farms, as well as the range and number of farming and growing options on offer is to be commended.

For more see here and click on events, or ring 059 917 0200

Early April organic events: thinking, doing and no april foolin

Plato and Aristotle explore organic farming in Ireland

Plato looked to an ideal essence from which our understanding of reality is formed, Aristotle looked at things. Heaven and earth, the sky and the ground, the astral and terra firma.

From fundos to realos (see history here), the organic movement has alwys had both practical and philosophical dimensions. The beginning of April is a golden opportunity to engage in both.

The least apt day of the year for the now departed Merf � Dr. Charles Merfield � to give a talk in Ireland is April Fool's day, for he's far from a fool.

In fact, he's a classic brainbox, full of science, ideas, and inventions.

Merf, until recently an organic crop researcher with Teagasc and UCD, returns to Ireland to give a talk entitled 'Organics: Philosophy of Agriculture Science and Ethics' in UCD on April 1st at 1pm.

This talk is part of the UCD History and Philosophy of Science Lecture Series, and is being held in the Seminar Room of the Humanities Institute of Ireland at University College Dublin (UCD).

Merf's seminar will briefly review the history and context of organic agriculture from its beginnings in the early 1900s with its focus on soil nutrition and human health. It will then examine the 1960s anti synthetic biocide revolution and finally today's multiple organic systems will be considered.

This history will provide a foundation �to examine the fundamental differences between organic and industrial agriculture with a particular focus on ethics, and the role of science followed by and exploration of organic's critique of industrial agriculture� according to Merf.

The next day, April 2nd, features a perhaps more typical but nonetheless interesting organic farming day.

The Teagasc organic conference will be held in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. It begins at 9am, and features a host of important speakers and topics.

The first session deals with a topic close to every farmers heart. It is entitled, very straightforwardly, 'Making Money from Organic Farming'. Two Teagasc organic advisors James McDonnell and Dan Clavin will present on profitability of organic farms and financial planning for farmers undergoing conversion.

The next sessions deals with market opportunities for organic milk, meat and grain. Perhaps suprizingly, there is no place at the table for the newly formed Irish Organic Milk Producers Company.

However, Glenisk's Vincent Cleary will be one of the chairs, along with chair of the National Organic Steering Committee John Duggan.

A highlight in this session will be the presentation by Dr. Nic Lampkin ofthe Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Berkshire. Nic's 1990 book on organic farming is considered a bible while his work on developing the organic sector in wales has been considered integral to their strong recent growth. Nic' s presentation is on UK and EU markets.

Along with Nic, John Purcell of the Good Herdsman � the largest organic meat processor in either Ireland or the UK, John Flahavan of Flahavans who have capacity to talk in more Irish produce, and Anthony Murphy (Skettering Nutrition, Co. Mayo) will present.

The after lunch session gives a farmer's perspective.

Cavan's Richard Moeran has been described as a rare breed with a rare breed. He is chair of Cavan IFA, certified organic and stocks saddleback pigs. He also carries lamb and beef, and grows much of his own feed.

His produce is sold direct and through supermarkets, so he really can speak from and for a number of perspectives.

Also presenting the farmers' perspective is Noel Lynch of Macroom (beef, sheep, tillage)
and Fintan Rice, of Fethard, Co. Tipperary (dairying).

Following this, another session on profitabilty will be held. This time, the focus is on increasing profit margins outside the farm gate. This session is chaired by Peter Young, organic farmer and journalist.

His own Castlefarm enterprise is a great model for innovative ways to increase profitability. With his wife Jenny, they direct sell, make their own cheese, do school trips and a host range of courses. The next one is on making outdoor clay ovens.

Lorcan Burke (Bord Bia) will present on purchasing trends in the current climate, while Mark Winterbotham, (Gold River Farms, Co. Wicklow) will present on direct selling.

See here or ring 059 917 020