Andrew & Leonie Workman

Introduction

Andrew and Leonie Workman have been farming in Dunany since 1981.

For a number of years, they continued farming it as a tillage farm growing a wide range of crops. As the years went by with the increasing input costs of their farming system, the Workman’s felt it was not sustainable and began to look at at other options to improve the overall financial position of the farm.

After careful consideration and visiting other organic farms, the Workman’s decided to take the organic option. The farm entered organic conversion in 2004, with full organic status for the land and produce being achieved in 2006.

In the last thirteen years, there have been many changes made in relation to the crops being sown and the routes to market. Initially grain was grown and sold into the animal feed market. With fluctuating grain prices, they looked at other ways of selling grain. They decided to grow wheat and then rye and spelt for flour. This has now evolved into a family farm business where the Workman’s are growing, milling, packing and distributing their organic wheat, rye and spelt from their farm. Oats is also grown for the organic porridge market.

Farm Details and Land Use

Outlined below in Table 1 are details of the land use and areas.

Organic Cereal Enterprise

There is a strong demand for organic cereals both for livestock and human consumption. The demand for organic cereals is expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

Currently on the farm, there is 69 hectares of land devoted to cereals. Following are details of crop varieties, sowing dates and seeding rates for the cereal crops on the farm.

Crop Varieties and Seeding Rates Sown

The rye and spelt seed was bought in from Germany. The oat, clover and wheat seed was purchased in Ireland.

In organic cereal production, output is lower than conventional units but costs tend to be lower and prices for grain higher.

Clover on the Farm

Red Clover

Red clover is sown in a monoculture at the start of the rotation on the farm. It acts as a valuable break crop improving soil structure and fertility, limiting weed invasion and supplying organic matter. The Workman’s mulch it 2-3 times during the growing season. The variety of red clover on the farm is Kyrinna.

White Clover

White clover is sown over with the spring oat crop; this will help improve soil fertility, soil structure and help suppress weeds. This is ploughed back when the next crop is being sown. The variety of white clover sown with this year’s spring oats is Jura at a rate of 2 kg/ac.

Organic Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a planned sequence of different crop types. Rotation is a key component of organic cereal production as it provides the principal mechanism to provide crop nutrients and is a major way to control pests/diseases along with maintaining and enhancing soil structure. Crop rotation also allows for spreading the fertility requirements and provides the capacity to build fertility.

The Workman’s have implemented a rotation of a two-year fertility-building phase with red clover followed by a five year cycle of cereals. This planned rotation may vary depending on soil type, weed burden and fertility.

Organic Regulation for Seed Usage

Organic seed database with details of suppliers and available organic seed www.organicxseeds.com
Must seek permission to use un-treated non-organic seed from your Organic Certification Body (OCB).
This permission must be granted by the OCB before purchase if 0% un-treated non-organic seed or before sowing in case of 70%+ organic seed content.
Conventional treated seed is not permitted to be used.

Soil P and K Level on the farm

Sources of Organic Manures that are permitted to be imported onto Organic Farms

Imported farmyard manure or slurry must come from stock that have been outside during the year, not from intensive pig and poultry units where animals are inside all the time or from zero grazing farming systems. Farmyard manure must be composted for at least 3 months before it can be land spread.
Dairy processing sludge is available from some dairy processors who have sludge registered with an Organic Certification Body.

Available Nutrient Content & Guide Value (€) of Organic Manures (Source Teagasc, values April 2022)

The Story of Dunany Organic Flour

The Workman’s looked at other ways of selling their grain and they realised that a way to do this, was to process it and value add themselves.

This is how it happened:

In the nearby town of Dunleer, there was Whiteriver Mill, a traditional stone water mill still in working order. With help of the mill owner, the Workman’s started milling, producing nutty traditional extra course flour from their wheat. This was sold locally and within a year, demand outstripped what the mill could produce.

They also began to see an opening in the market for other organic flours from grains such as rye and spelt. For this, they would need a faster more efficient milling system. By chance on their way home from their son’s wedding in Poland they happened to come across a French mill used by a German organic farmer. They bought it as it suited the volume of grain that they were producing on the farm.

Over time, they also have invested in grain cleaners, gravity separators and a de-huller, all of which were sourced second hand and are essential pieces of equipment required for producing clean weed free quality grain ready for milling.

With the flour selling very well locally the Workman has looked to expand their market now that they had greater capacity with the mill. This was done very simply by loading the car with samples and cold calling to wholefood stores, artisan bakeries and restaurants. They began to get great feedback and better return on their grains and the business has developed from there. They also recognised an opening in the market for other organic flours from other grains such as spelt and rye, which they then started to grow and process.

Their range of grains and flours come in various pack sizes of 500g to 5kg depending on the market it is for. The flours vary depending on the grains from wholemeal fine course or extra course, stoneground, plain sifted stoneground and spelt berries.

Their flours and berries are sold as follows:

In Dublin and the rest of Ireland through a distributor.
Regionally in local shops and Super Valu stores.
In Northern Ireland through a distributor.

The unique selling point of Dunany Flour is that the Workman family are able to see the grains through from sowing to harvesting, cleaning, milling, packaging and distribution.

workman

Dunany Flour – Processing Steps

Dunany Processing Equipment

Organic Certification in Ireland

A major factor that distinguishes organic farming from other approaches to sustainable farming is the existence of internationally acknowledged standards and certification procedures. The standards for organic production within the European Union are defined and enshrined in law by Council Regulation EC 834/2007 as amended.

In Ireland the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority (i.e. – the Department’s Organic Unit is based at Johnstown Castle Estate Wexford) for regulating the organic sector and ensuring that the obligations and requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 as amended and adhered to.

The Organic Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have designated Official Certification Bodies whose role is to certify organic producers, farmers and processors through and inspection process of each individual’s unit or farm. Further information can be sourced from these organic certification bodies:

IOA (Irish Organic Association)
Unit 13, Inish Carraig, Golden Island, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. N37 N1W4.
Tel: 090 6433680 | Email: info@irishoa.ie | Web: www.irishorganicassociation.ie

Organic Trust
Unit M4, Naas town centre, Dublin Road, Naas, Co.Kildare. W91F7X3
Tel: 045 882377 | Email: info@organictrust.ie | Web: www.organictrust.ie

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS)

A standard rate of aid of 40% on investments up to a ceiling of €80,000 (i.e. can generate a grant of €32,000 from an investment of €80,000). For qualifying young organic farmers who meet the specific eligibility criteria, the standard rate of aid is 60% on investments up to a ceiling of €80,000.

How to Apply
Online applications only through www.agfood.ie facility.

Full details and T&C: OCIS

Queries:
DAFM Organic Unit, Johnstown Castle: organic@agriculture.gov.ie

Organic Processing Scheme

Grant aid of up to 40% on €1.75 million (i.e. can generate a grant of €700,000 for an investment of €1.75 million) in facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products with minimum level of investment in excess of €3,000.

More Details: agriculture.gov.ie