Gorse Farm is a certified Organic market garden, located in Bunclody on the Carlow-Wexford border. It is run by Jenny Watkins and Janet Power, both nature enthusiasts with a passion for healthy natural foods. Janet walked and talked the interns through the Gorse Farm approach to high value crops such as leafy greens and also how to set up a Micro Greens business.

Given the challenges faced by growers this summer the morning on the farm showcased the rewards for adding strong structure, diversity and adaptability into our farming, especially in areas of irrigation and mulching. Of particular note was the in year rotation of crops including cover-crops and ongoing emphasis on biodiversity with tree-planting, hedgerows, flowers and re-wilding. Having crunched the numbers to focus their time on profitable crops whilst still growing a vast array of others to feed themselves throughout the year, the farm is a really great example for the interns.

In the afternoon the group headed over to Highbank Organic Farm where Rod walked us through their apple pressing system and waxed lyrical about the rewards of respecting the soil microbiome in their orchards. This was followed up by an incredible product tasting under the 350 year old oak and excellent advice from Julie around adding product variety and value to your business.

With over 16 products from apples alone, they are a great example of small growers with a strong independent business approach. The passion the pair have for the orchard and its continued development is remarkable and they really encouraged the OGI intern group to have the confidence to move forward and not be afraid to do something different.