OGI Members’ Farm Walk & Focus Session at Mill House Organic Farm
Salad Crops: Turning Challenges into Workable Scenarios and Achievements.
For our first farm walk of 2026, OGI members were welcomed by Mick and Audrey to Mill House Farm, to experience a fresh and practical perspective on the realities of making an organic salad growing enterprise work.
Spirits were high despite the drizzly weather, and there was a genuine sense of excitement as attendees explored this highly successful farm. It’s hard to believe that, after 18 years of growing, this was the first ever farm walk hosted at Mill House, making it a real treat for everyone who attended.
The day began with a meet-and-greet and refreshments, during which Audrey provided an excellent overview of Mill House Farm, from its humble beginnings supplying a handful of ½ kg salad bags each week to the scaled-up enterprise we see today.
With 6,500 m² of protected cropping area and 6,000 m² of field cropping to explore, there was a lot to cover. The tour began in the older tunnels, which at this time of year are full of scallions, lettuce and cover crops, including buckwheat. Discussions covered pest issues, irrigation, crop rotation, fertility and regulations, with challenges and solutions shared openly. Crop-planning software Heirloom and label solutions from IPS and Labelworld were also areas of interest. Moving through the farm, Mick and Audrey explained why one are is currently unsuitable for cultivation, sharing previous trials and future improvement options. This area of the farm also includes field cropping and further protected growing zones.
Lunchtime offered a valuable networking opportunity, followed by an introduction from OGI Commercial Development Coordinator Barry Mac Devitt, which opened up a wide-ranging discussion on market opportunities, how to harness them, and the challenges currently holding back sector growth.
The afternoon brought the group to the farm’s newest additions: state-of-the-art tunnels from Italian supplier Luigi’s, built in the wake of Storm Éowyn, which had decimated the previous structures. In the propagation tunnel, Mick showcased equipment that has transformed sowing efficiency, including a planter, harvester and of course the tractors. The farm’s well and its extensive filtration system drew considerable interest before the day concluded in the packing and cold storage areas.
The enthusiasm, innovation, and resilience shown by Mick and Audrey made this an inspiring day, full of practical insights and nuggets of information that will be put to good use by all attendees. Many thanks go to all the team at Mill House.
