Show Notes
This week on Organic Matters, we speak to organic sheep and horticulture farmer John O'Sullivan, who farms over 800 acres of largely boggy soil in Connemara. John has also diversified into agri-tourism and is experimenting with paludiculture to support farm profitability and environmental performance.
John talks about the various enterprises on Derreighter Organic Farm, including his flock of 200 ewes lambed outdoors in mid-April. He also specialises in organic berry production, with the wool used as a nutrient source for the bushes. Berries work well as they like acidic soil and adequate moisture. The O’Sullivans also host people on the farm, offering accommodation, workshops, a wood-fired sauna converted from an old trailer, and more.
In addition, John is part of an EU-funded project called Palus Demo, which is exploring how to alter the water table on part of the farm to encourage sphagnum mosses to re-establish, which can help to sequester carbon, improve biodiversity, and rebuild the bogs, while at the same time exploring commercial opportunities for berry production on the same land.
More from Organic Matters
This week on Organic Matters, we take to the water to bring you a very special podcast on Inis Cloithrinn or Quaker Island as it is locally known, where organic livestock farmer Herbert Farrell keeps native Irish Droimeann cattle and the Lough Ree goat breed. The island is steeped in history, including being home to a monastic settlement, known as the resting spot of the legendary Queen Medb and being connected to the Farrell name since 1141.
This week on Organic Matters, we speak to James Donnellan, an organic suckler and sheep farmer based in Northeast Galway. James talks about his love of Aubrac cattle and the importance of getting an organic system right for the individual farmer.
This week on the Organic Matters Podcast, we speak to Elaine Bradley from the Irish Seed Savers Association based in Clare. It works to protect and preserve Ireland’s traditional seed and heritage apple varieties. Elaine talks about the Association’s activities, which are based on practising conservation by use, with their seed and gene bank acting as a living resource and safety deposit box for our food heritage now and into the future.
This week on the Organic Matters Podcast, we speak to farmer Donald Treacy, based near Athy in Co. Kildare, who runs a mixed organic farm with his wife Aideen and two sons. Donald discusses the different enterprises on Battlemount Organic Farm, which include potatoes, apples, beef and inter-crops for animal feed.
This week, long time organic vegetable grower Dermot Carey, based in South Kildare, talks to the Organic Matters Podcast about his business.