Episodes

  • 43: Making money from field to fork: farmers Liam and Justina Gavin, Roscommon

    43: Making money from field to fork: farmers Liam and Justina Gavin, Roscommon
    May 16 2024
    Liam and Justina Gavin own Drumanilra Organic Farm on the shores of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. When they took over the farm in 2012, they had two ambitions: to feed their family with home grown food, and to generate a sustainable and independent income from the farm by supplying food directly to the public. They tell Brigid how they've done it.
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    53 mins
  • 42: On fungi and farming, with Thomas O'Connor

    42: On fungi and farming, with Thomas O'Connor
    Apr 25 2024
    Thomas O’Connor farms 25 acres in the Gleann na nGealt valley near Camp, Co. Kerry, and sells his fresh organic produce in a farm shop, Manna Organic Store, in nearby Tralee. He talks about how fungi is the basis of everything he produces on his land.
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    19 mins
  • 41: Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer & dung beetle expert

    41: Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer & dung beetle expert
    Mar 13 2024
    Bruce Thompson is an intensive dairy farmer from Laois. He has a particular interest in reducing animal remedies through prevention, and is a strong advocate for the urgent need to protect our dung beetle populations.
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    20 mins
  • 40: How to make Biochar, with Kildare farmer Kim McCall

    40: How to make Biochar, with Kildare farmer Kim McCall
    Jan 24 2024
    Brigid speaks to Kim McCall about why and how he makes biochar. Kim and his wife Mireille own a 214-acre mixed livestock stock farm in Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare with a herd of 75 pedigree suckler cows, a flock of 80 sheep, as well as a few pigs in the summertime.
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    24 mins
  • 39: James Gilmartin, Mixed Stock Farmer, Leitrim: My land's natural carrying capacity

    39: James Gilmartin, Mixed Stock Farmer, Leitrim: My land's natural carrying capacity
    Dec 5 2023
    James Gilmartin is a 7th generation mixed farmer. He keeps a suckler herd and a small herd of Dexters, as well as a small flock of sheep. Part of his farm is commonage and a very important High Nature Value habitat for various species, including the endangered Marsh Fritillary butterfly. 
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    28 mins
  • 38: Maurice Deasy, brewer, sheep & arable farmer: Why conservation agriculture is worth the risk

    38: Maurice Deasy, brewer, sheep & arable farmer: Why conservation agriculture is worth the risk
    Oct 3 2023
    Maurice Deasy farms 120 acres in northwest Tipperary. He grows heritage Irish grains to preserve their genetic diversity, and uses them in his own brewery on the farm. He also has 20 acres of mixed woodland and wetland through his farm.  He tells Brigid how he farms with nature in mind. 
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    38 mins
  • 37: Aonghus Ó'Coistealbha, Connemara, Galway: How I make a living from 1 acre

    37: Aonghus Ó'Coistealbha, Connemara, Galway: How I make a living from 1 acre
    Sep 12 2023
    Aonghus Ó'Coistealbha is a market gardener from Connemara Co. Galway, and he owns 'An Garraí Glas',  a 1-acre farm where he grows chemical-free vegetables including lettuce/salad leaves, onions, tomatoes, radishes, herbs and more. A tremendous amount of vegetables are grown from a small space, not to mention a challenging landscape with plenty of stone and a strong Atlantic prevailing wind.  Aonghus is particularly interested in regenerative farming; composting, soil health and building fertility is of utmost importance to this farming system. 
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    28 mins
  • 36: Gearoid Maher, dairy farmer, Co. Limerick: Being economically viable while restoring nature on a dairy farm

    36: Gearoid Maher, dairy farmer, Co. Limerick: Being economically viable while restoring nature on a dairy farm
    Aug 29 2023
    Gearoid Maher farms 80 cows on 80 hectares in Co.Limerick. He tells Brigid how he manages to operate an economically successful farm while restoring nature on his land. 
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    31 mins