Organic Matters

This week on Organic Matters, we speak with tillage farmer Gavin Tully from Camolin, Co. Wexford. Gavin tells people thinking about converting to organics not to worry about "what the neighbour thinks". He says that becoming organic has added value to his business and discusses selling potatoes and animal feed direct to customers from his 100-acre farm. He also talks about selecting crop varieties...

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to the Managing Director of Glenisk, Vincent Cleary. Vincent speaks about the humble beginnings of the now international brand and why organics will always be an integral part of the business. Following on from a fire that devastated their production facility several years ago, Vincent discusses the opportunity it presented to innovate and develop carbon neut...

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Kevin Scully from the Merry Mill in Co. Laois. Kevin was a part-time farmer with beef cattle who grew organic oats as animal feed until his "light bulb" moment when he realised he could sell oats to Irish consumers instead. Fast forward seven years and Kevin and members of his family now work full-time on their farm processing organic oats for the Merry Mi...

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Tony Grogan on his farm in the Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary. Tony is a full-time organic suckler farmer, having previously been in intensive pig production. Tony gives his tips on liming land and breeding pedigree animals. He also talks about the importance of rewarding organic farmers who want to deliver additional benefits for the environment.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Mary Fitzgerald and her head gardener Caoimhín Brosnan at the Woodlands House Hotel in Co Limerick. The pair discuss how they designed and created an organic garden and the role the garden plays in supplying food to the hotel. Mary also discusses her plans to have at least one fully organic meal on their menu by the end of this year.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Padraig Dunleavy. Padraig is a beef finisher and tillage farmer in Co Galway with an obsession with high quality manure and soil health. He speaks to presenter Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about how he tends his farmyard manure and his farm business.

This week, Organic Matters speaks to Seán McGloin, the network manager of the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS). Organic farming has an EU target of reaching 25% by 2030 and Seán discusses the opportunities and challenges facing farmers in reaching those targets, including the need to develop better markets for organic products. In the case of Ireland, a large proportion of farmers are in...

This week, Organic Matters interviews Lucille Boland from Coolanowle Organic Farm. Lucille describes how the family converted their farm to organic in 2001 and now sell a wide range organic meat nationwide through a number of organic farmer's markets as well as online. She talks about how her father Jimmy Mulhall orginally established the business which is now a thriving family run businesss as we...

This week, Organic Matters speaks to the CEO of Blumáin Organic Skincare, Sinead Murphy from Co Cork. Sinead talks about the importance of organic products in her line of skincare, especially for Irish people who tend to have very sensitive skin. She also talks about how her business has grown and some of the awards she has achieved through her range of products.

This week, Organic Matters speaks to Stuart Rogers who is still in organic conversion. Stuart is sheep farming and has a passion for biodynamic farming with the aim of becoming biodynamic certified through the Irish Organic Association.

This week, we speak to Janet and Jenny from Gorse Farm on the Carlow/Wexford border about creating a small farm from three acres. The pair have created a thriving business selling mainly salad and micro greens to local SuperValus and other stores. They talk about the challenges growers face and their plans for the future.

The week, we hear from Monaghan farmer Sean Greenan. Sean is a relative newcomer to tillage but now grows all his own cattle feed and sells the surplus. He also keeps a pedigree herd of suckler Stabiliser cattle. Sean will soon have a farm walk and more information about the event can be found at www.irishorganicassociation.ie

This week, Organic Matters speaks to Kenneth Keavy from Green Earth Organics, a veg and veg box business in Co Galway. Kenneth speaks about taking over the family farm 18 years ago, converting to organic and building the business. Sustainability is at the heart of what he does and he discusses the negative role supermarkets can play as well his plans for the future.

This week, our presenter Hannah Quinn-Mulligan is in England where she visits Berkely farm near Swindon. The farm started delivering milk to people's doorsteps in World War One, and now processes 30,000 litres of milk (20,000 of which is organic) a day. They make yoghurt, kefir and butter in conjunction with selling milk directly to customers.

This week, Organic Matters speaks to Mary Bermingham from the Burren Nature Sanctuary in Kinvara, Co Galway. Mary tells us about being organic certified since 1994 and how the site has developed a visitor centre with various immersive and memorable experiences for visitors. She also explains the importance of the site in terms of biodiversity and conservation work.

This week, Organic Matters, speaks with tillage farmer Jack Browne about his upcoming farm walk and work he's doing on the farm, including exploring min till and agro-forestry options. Field Talk Farm Walk takes place on July 1st from 11-1pm. To book in email info@irishoa.ie or text the word Organic plus your name & email to 51444.

Christy Stapleton from the Green Door market is this weeks guest on Organic Matters Podcast. Christy talks in depth about what drove the creation of the market. He also highlights what's needed to maintain strong shopper and supplier ties.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to recently fully converted organic dairy farmer Kevin O'Hanlon about how to make good quality organic silage. Kevin discusses his mowing techniques and what he finds are the best way of returning nutrients to the soil after cutting.

Ben Kenny and his partner Ciara, from Nurney Farm outline how they have recently taken on running the family horticulture business. Both had lived and worked in Vancouver before coming back to Ireland and share their experiences and insights about the next chapter in their lives.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Margaret Edgill from Mount Briscoe farm about her recent trip to Canada. She explains her research as a Nuffield Scholar and looks at the bigger picture of farm diversification and food production.

This week, Organic Matters speaks to Chris McCaffrey, an organic beef farmer from Co Donegal. Chris talks about building a very large shed to cater for the cattle on the farm. He also discusses managing a herd of over 200 cattle including feed inputs, such as combi crop silage. A video of Chris discussing his shed is also available on the IOA social media pages.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Limerick organic dairy farmer Tom Stack about Korean Natural Farming. Tom discusses using the method to create his own inputs on the farm, the results he gets and how anyone can try it for themselves.

This week, Organic Matters meets Kerry farmer Michael Gleeson. Michael initially planned to milk his rare breed Kerry cows, however after various events he decided to develop a market for organic rosé veal. He now sells beef boxes directly to customers and has links with various butchers and high-end restaurants.

This week on Organic Matters, technical director with Germinal Ireland Dr Mary McEvoy, discusses the best ways to grow red clover and MSS organically. She also discusses the best techniques for establishing covers and the benefits of reseeding land.

This week on Organic Matters, we talk to well known organic farm advisor Mary Lynch. She tells us the do's and don'ts of making good quality silage and advises farmers on the best investments to make if they're considering applying for a 60% organic TAMS grant. Link to organic TAMS - https://www.gov.ie/en/service/d7556-organic-capital-investment-scheme/