A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for another sold-out annual conference – to our brilliant speakers, our fantastic trade exhibitors, the team at the Avalon House Hotel, and the NOTS team, whose technical and project management expertise goes into making the day run so smoothly every year.

The day opened with welcome from conference coordinator, Una Wycherley, and a video welcome from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD.  Our OGI interns received their certificates for successful completion of the OGI Internship in Organic Hortictulture programme 2025, presented by DAFM Organic Unit’s Noeleen Nolan, and intern Orlagh Thompson shared insights from her internship experience.

Renowned UK organic farmer Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford Organic, then took to the stage to bring attendees through his fascinating life in horticulture — from setting up Riverford to the philosophy of organic production and ethical business that has shaped his career.

Making his first visit to Ireland, US no-till pioneer Bryan O’Hara of Tobacco Road Farm in Connecticut shared the production approaches and machinery behind his farm, offering a window into no-till market gardening on the other side of the Atlantic.

Lunch was a highlight in its own right: a fabulous organic spread, specially crafted by the Avalon House team from locally-sourced ingredients.

The afternoon continued with an engaging presentation from grower Mairéad Costin on balancing farm management and work–family life at An Garraí Mara, Co. Waterford, and a lively tools and tech panel, featuring  Jim Cronin, Aonghus Ó Coistealbha, Joe and Aoife Reilly and Janet Power, who talked through the mix of favourite tools that help them day to day on their own farms.

Geetie Singh-Watson, owner of organic pub and restaurant the Bull Inn in Devon, sat down for a fireside chat with OGI board member and grower Barry Connolly, discussing her approach to setting up and managing numerous organic hospitality businesses. Rounding out the programme, Nuffield Scholar Molly Garvey presented findings from her research into international farming systems, bringing a global perspective to the room.

So many of you have shared how important events like the OGI Annual Conference are, for taking time out, connecting with others and getting space to reflect and network – not only for the positive mental health benefits, but to learn new ideas, get advice, and discover tools you didn’t know you needed! Thank you to everyone who made this year’s OGI Annual Conference possible. We hope you left as invigorated and inspired as we did.

We’re also hugely grateful to the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine for their ongoing support of our programme of activities.

Missed the day, or want to relive a session? Video presentations from OGI Conference 2025 are available to watch back here.

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