Growing Organics

Growing Organics is a five-year programme focused on supporting and increasing organic production in Ireland. The initiative, led by Teagasc and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), promotes the adoption of best practice at farm level in order to improve the long-term viability, profitability and sustainability of the Irish organic sector.

Actions

A key feature of the programme is the establishment of organic demonstration farms throughout the country. These farms have been selected across a range of enterprises, including beef, dairy, sheep, horticulture and tillage systems, to showcase successful organic farming methods in practice. The demonstration farms are used to monitor financial and environmental indicators, helping to provide reliable data on the performance of organic systems in Ireland. Farmers involved in the programme work closely with Teagasc Organic Specialists and Regional Organic Advisors, ensuring that best practice guidelines are implemented effectively on farms.

Outcomes

The information gathered from these farms is shared with farmers, advisors, researchers and policymakers. This helps improve understanding of organic farming methods and supports evidence-based decision-making within the sector. The programme focuses on several areas including grassland management, livestock nutrition, animal health and welfare, crop management, financial planning, and environmental sustainability. By concentrating on these areas, the programme aims to improve farm efficiency while also reducing environmental impacts and enhancing biodiversity.

An important element of the Growing Organics programme is the organisation of regional farm walks and demonstration events. These events are held on participating farms across the country, encouraging knowledge transfer and discussion between experienced organic farmers and those considering conversion to organic farming. The walks are supported by sectoral stakeholders, where Teagasc organic Specialists and Advisors, DAFM representatives, Organic Certification Bodies and the host farmers are available to answer questions and provide guidance. Overall, the Growing Organics programme plays an important role in developing and supporting the organic farming sector in Ireland.

Upcoming Growing Organics Farm Walks

By providing knowledge transfer from experts and on opportunity for peer learning and discussion, the programme builds farmer confidence to consider conversion or improve efficiency, helping organic farming become more efficient, sustainable, economically competitive and climate resilient.