Producers & Distributors of Organic Fruit & Vegetables

About Beechlawn Organic Farm

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Beechlawn Organic Farm is a business partnership that was conceived and has been developed by husband and wife, Padraig Fahy and Úna Ní Bhroin.

The seeds were first sown after Padraig and Úna met at The Organic College, Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick, and both qualified with Diplomas in Organic Horticulture.

The business germinated in 2001 when they began the garden, which they nurtured producing their first fruits in 2002.

Lush Growth

“We started growing commercially in 2002, gradually building up the business since then.

We now have 5 polytunnels, a tractor, rotovator, student house, packing shed, large cold room, and a variety of other equipment.

Our polytunnels cover 16000sq feet of protected cropping, for vegetables that need more heat to grow well.

In the polytunnels we have: courgette, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, and root fennel. In the polytunnels in summertime we grow: scallions, celery, peppers, aubergine, french beans

Outside we grow: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, kale, lettuce, onions, parsnips, potatoes, romanesco, and turnips." - Úna Ní Bhroin

Timeline, Business Development

     • 2001 A half acre of veg grown as a trial in Beechlawn.
     • 2002 2 acres of veg grown, 1st volunteer stays with us on a 6 week internship from a horticulture college in France. 1 small polytunnel erected, 20 customers joined our new box scheme, and application for Organic licence submitted. Farm shed is cleaned out and whitewashed for the new enterprise.
     • 2003 Lots of volunteers come this year, sometimes three at a time. Organic Licence granted! 2nd polytunnel erected, heated propagator bought, Grant received from Galway Rural Development, rotovator, tractor, two wheel rotovator, plough, and tiller bought.
     • 2004 3rd polytunnel erected. Deliveries in Athlone and Ballinasloe now up to 80 customers on the box scheme.
     • 2005 1st farm van purchased. 4th polytunnel erected, 1st full time employee on the farm for the Spring Summer and Autumn. Market in Athlone and Ballinasloe begins in August. Home delivery customer numbers reduce as people now come to our market stall. Cold room built into farm shed.
     • 2006 Market in Loughrea starts in August. Home deliveries down to 30. Wooden student house erected for volunteers and farm workers.
     • 2007 2 full time employees as well as Padraig and Úna working full time. New shed door and a 10,000 sq ft multi span polytunnel with the help of the Dept. of Agriculture "Organic Grant". New extended heated propagator and our 1st tunnel is devoted completely to seed sowing and germinating. Number of volunteers who have stayed with us since 2002 now above 60! 1st Farm Open Day with music, food and tours in August. Home delivery numbers increase to 50, now including Loughrea. Six Boar Banbh (8 week old) piglets bought in October. A busy Christmas with extra markets and our annual holiday after Christmas.

Timeline, Personal

Dates and Events

(1991-1994) Maynooth, Bachelor of Theology and Arts - Padraig

(1993-1997) Maynooth BA – Úna

(1996-1997) Genetic Concern lobby group, campaign                                       against genetically modified organisms in food and                                       agriculture – Úna

(1997) Trócaire, administrative assistant – Úna

(1997-1998) Travelling Asia, backpacking India                                              and Nepal for 12 months – Padraig

(Sept 1997–Feb 2000) Diploma in                                                            Organic Horticulture – Padraig

(1998–2000) Participated in anti-road                                                            protest at Glen of the Downs nature                                                            reserve, Wicklow – Úna

(Sept 1998–Aug 2001) Diploma in                                                                   Organic Horticulture – Úna

(2001) Began garden

(Sept 2001-Sept 2005) Worked for Roscommon Partnership and FAS, Training 20 people in Horticulture; Roscommon VEC - Padraig

(May 2002) Est. business

(Nov 2004-Nov 2007) Member of Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association Board of Directors (IOFGA)

(Nov 2005-Nov 2007) Chairman of Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association Board of Directors (IOFGA)

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