This week on Organic Matters, we meet Philip and Eleanor Cussen, who farm in Co. Tipperary. They blend their love for nature and Irish Cobs, with growing tillage and rearing suckler cattle. They talk about the conversion of the farm over 10 years ago, re-establishing a suckler herd and dipping their toes into organic tillage, producing milling oats, which has become an important element of their enterprise. The Cussens touch on the importance of cooperating and learning from other organic farmers, and how Eleanor’s passion for the Irish cob horse breed is an integral part of their farming story. They also speak about how they have developed a greater appreciation for the wide range of biodiversity on the farm.

This week on Organic Matters, tillage and beef farmer Reuben Cope, based in County Kilkenny, speaks to Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about converting to organic farming and taking the plunge as a first-time tillage farmer. He talks about the crops he now grows, including red clover, a range of cover crops, intercrops of barley and peas for animal feed, wheat for flour, and milling oats, touching on yields, sowing dates and more. Rueben also discusses selling wheat directly to produce flour, highlighting the value of heritage wheat varieties and the growing demand for high-quality organic wheat from artisan bakers. Much of the bread and pastries made with his flour can be purchased locally, as well as in his own seasonal farm shop, which also features his own beef and organic vegetables, many sourced from a local organic vegetable grower.

This week on the Organic Matters Podcast Joe Nolan, a relatively recent convert to organics, speaks to Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about downsizing from 1,000 sheep and reintroducing tillage on his family farm in Carlow. He says the economics of the farm have never been better since switching to organics and upscaling the organic tillage side of his business. He grows a range of crops, including red clover, milling oats, oat seed and intercrops of cereals and pulses for animal feed. Joe has also introduced Easycare sheep into his mixed-breed flock, a self-shedding breed that does not require shearing, and speaks about the benefits of the breed and his experience so far.

This week, Organic Matters meets third-generation suckler farmer Padraic O'Donnell, based in South Galway. ⁠ After returning home from the UK to take over his family farm, he converted to organics in 2021. Padraic has focused on improving the genetics of his herd by learning how to do his own artificial insemination (AI), experimenting with introducing new breeds into his existing stock of mainly Limousins and Simmentals. ⁠ He speaks about the different kinds of grassland on his farm, including pastures for grazing and silage, callows (seasonally flooded, semi-natural grassland), which he sees as great for summer grazing, and rocky areas that help to extend the grazing season. Padraic has also started selling his own meat directly to customers, processing the meat locally, and shares why he thinks it's important to keep small abattoirs alive.

This week, Organic Matters meets Blátnaid Gallagher, an organic sheep farmer in East Galway who has been championing the native Galway sheep breed for meat and wool. She's spearheaded the creation of the Galway Wool Co-op in an era when the number of sheep farmers is dwindling. She talks about building a renaissance in Irish wool by focusing on the need for better processing and putting farmers back at the heart of the story of Irish wool. This includes a recent collaboration between the Galway Wool Co-op and Avoca to develop different kinds of products. Blátnaid also speaks about how she and her husband took on the farm and converted to organics, the importance of hay meadow conservation for nature and animal feed, as well as her passion for social farming, working with people with intellectual disabilities.

In this episode of Organic Matters, host Hannah Quinn-Mulligan interviews Pat O'Sullivan, the CEO of gourmet catering company Master Chefs in Limerick. Pat discusses buying 20 acres of land to establish Ellan farm and grow organic vegetables for his catering business, and talks about his plans for the future, creating his own on-site processing facilities on the farm and connecting his chefs with food production. He also speaks about a bio district that is currently being established in the Mid West. Pat considers that this initiative is not only of value to his business, in order to buy more local organic produce, but also for the wider community of organic producers, as well as the tourism and hospitality sector in the area.

In this episode, we meet Fergal Smith of Moy Hill Farm, who has a mixed organic farming system including eggs, vegetables and a suckler beef system. Fergal discusses direct selling at farmers markets, to restaurants and shops, as well as a box scheme based on a community-supported agriculture – CSA model. He also speaks about the challenges that he faces as a farmer and his love for the Dexter breed of cattle, outlining why he thinks they are perfect for an organic suckler system. He talks about the story so far, including his experience with soil management and the opportunities open to other farmers.

In this episode, we meet Patrick Davoren, who is based in Carron in Co Clare, in the heart of the Burren. Patrick outlines his reasons for going organic, including the financial incentives and how he makes use of the famous Burren winterage. He speaks to Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about overcoming the recent storm damage and the impact that it has had on the farm, as well as his experience with producing red clover for silage on his improved grassland area for animal feed, and getting his nutrient management right.

This week suckler farmer and beef finisher Donagh O'Grady speaks to Organic Matters from his farm in Limerick. Donagh discusses finishing beef cattle in an organic system, the benefits of sharing machinery with other farmers, as well as different things he has tried over the years. In recent times, Donagh has bought a woodchipper to create his own woodchip for organic animal bedding and is also producing apples and processing them into juice sold locally. He also looks ahead to the future plans for the farm and the need to diversify the farm business.

In the first episode of Season 4, we meet Mitch Corbett and Harry Badrick at the Hometree charity near Ennistymon in Co. Clare. The pair are part of a team that organically grows native Irish trees from seedlings and works with farmers and landowners to create native Irish forests. They discuss the many benefits that trees can provide to farmland and biodiversity

This week on Organic Matters, we meet Andrea and Markus Miley who have developed an organic oil and spices business based in Portarlington, Co. Laois called ÍON Oil and Spices. Originally the pair were involved in the timber business but over time have changed tack and today run a shop, and online business as well as taking their products to farmers' markets and shops. This year the company won Taste Awards for their Hazelnut, Poppy Seed and Walnut Oils. They talk about how they established the business, the range of oils and spices they produce and plans for the future.

In the final episode of Season 3 of the Organic Matters Podcast, we meet Dolores and Joe Gorman from Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms in Co. Offaly. The pair were in the mushroom business for almost 30 years exporting to the UK but had to close when Brexit hit due to the fluctuation in sterling. After a two-year break, they were back in business having diversified into organic exotic mushrooms. They now produce 7 different varieties of organic exotic mushrooms for Irish retailers and food service and recently they won a National Organic Award for their shiitake and white beech mushrooms range in the New and Innovative Product category. Joe and Dolores talk about their transition to organics and how they have carved out a niche for themselves in the exotic mushroom business. Learn more at: https://garryhinchmushrooms.ie

This week on Organic Matters, we meet brothers Charlie and Dan Hogan, and Dan's partner Una Wycherley who all run Larkin's Hill Farm together on the outskirts of Nenagh in Co Tipperary. They sell salad and vegetables to local retailers, and in addition to managing a suckler herd, they have more recently started growing and selling combi crops as animal feed to meet growing demand from organic livestock farmers. They talk about their experiences with the different farm enterprises and their complementarity as well as plans for the future, which include finishing cattle, incorporating trees onto the farm and further developing market outlets for their horticulture.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Charles Harold Barry and his wife Catherine who produce organic beef and lamb. They farm in north Cork and keep Angus cattle using a mob system. They also have sheep and use EasyCare rams to breed lambs that do not need shearing, with the stock seen as an important part of the farm’s grassland management. They have stopped making silage and focus on keeping enough grass around the farm to have all livestock out all year round. Hay is used to supplement grass for the cattle in the winter, with Charles using a bale unroller machine rather than a round feeder for better feed utilisation, and to prevent damage to the ground and ensure faster grass regeneration. Charles talks to our presenter Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about his experience with his grazing approach. including the impact he feels it has had on animal health and welfare.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Marian Clarke from Doon Social Farm part of Ballyhoura Rural Services based in County Limerick. As well as catering to the local community and several groups who may be vulnerable or have special needs, the farm runs a shop, café and a thriving organic egg and veg business. Everything produced on the farm is sold into the local community and neighbouring areas with salads, potatoes and eggs under the ‘Happy Hen Eggs’ brand best sellers. Marian walks presenter Hannah through their different initiatives, from setting up a café for the local community and the farm itself to working with different groups and individuals as a social enterprise as well as their plans for the future.

This week on Organic Matters, we meet suckler and tillage farmer Jim Stafford. Jim breeds Aubrac cattle, which originally hail from France, alongside his suckler herd. He breeds them both for pedigree breeding purposes and for organic beef and achieves excellent carcase weights. He also grows combi-crops of cereal and pulses for animal feed as well as oats for Flavahans. Jim talks about the importance of maintaining soil health and fertility on his farm with a strong focus on soil sampling and keeping a keen eye on his soil's trace elements.

This week on Organic Matters, we meet Steve Collins who farms in West Cork. Having returned from overseas after working on development projects for several years, Steve and his wife Claire purchased a farm in a scenic, but rocky area of the county. Passionate about producing high-quality, nutritious food, Steve and his family now focus a lot on growing both blueberries and aronia berries, including producing an aronia berry juice. As demand is strong, Steve is collaborating with another organic family farm in Poland as well as engaging with other local Irish organic farmers to increase the continuity of supply.

This week on Organic Matters, we meet Tony Murphy. Situated in the centre of Cork county, he farms Angus cattle and Beltex sheep as well as tillage. When we meet, Tony is harvesting arable silage. He breaks down exactly how he makes arable silage, which is usually sowed from the 1st of June and mowed in just 14 to 16 weeks later, touching on seed mixtures, ploughing depth, and fertilisation. Tony also speaks about other issues including animal husbandry, the importance of soil health and much more.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to suckler, sheep and tillage farmer Angus Woods. Angus began the conversion of his farm in January 2024 having experimented with some organic practices in recent years to help futureproof the business. He talks about the different reasons why he decided to convert to organic and the measures he's taking in his first year of organic conversion to meet organic standards.

This week on Organic Matters, we visit the farm of John and Marcella Mallick near Tinahely in Co. Wicklow. They have been organic farming since 2011 and as well as running a suckler and sheep enterprise with Galloway cattle, and Scotch sheep cross with Texels, they also grow organic barley for Waterford Distillery to brew into whiskey. They talk about their experience farming organically over the past 10 years or more from modifying animal housing to organic crop management.