This Farming Life

What it means to be an organic farmer in Ireland today … Jenny Young writes about life and work on an organic mixed farm in Co Kildare - and selling its produce

At Castlefarm the breeding season has finally ended. The Aberdeen Angus bulls that were brought onto the farm to ‘clean up’ after AI have been sold. We have cut our second cut of pit silage and have cut and wrapped 130 bales for the winter. Half of our spring born heifer calves have been farmed out to another organic farmer, who will rear them under organic standards for the next year. We are constantly under pressure for grass, hence the need to have our calves contract reared.

We are practically self sufficient in fruit and vegetables. We are enjoying raspberries, black currants and gooseberries. They are all a bit sour but can be transformed by cooking. In the polytunnel we have plenty of cucumbers and courgettes and the tomatoes are ripening nicely. Our outdoor garden is yielding all sorts of salad crops and onions and we are awaiting the first of the beans and beetroot.

Throughout the summer I have been making cheese on a regular basis and have sold a number of Aberdeen Angus beef heifers through the farm shop. We are also supplying The Little Milk Company with organic milk to make cheese.

We work at a more relaxed pace on our farm over the summer, using contractors to harvest and sow crops. Now is the time to take a few weekends off and try and find some good holiday weather!

Castlefarm Shop is open every week normally on a Friday or Saturday but you need to sign up to facebook, emails or text alerts to keep up to date with opening days and farm specials. To receive our newsletter and news of new products by email please sign up to our email, or text updates or like us on facebook.

Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, log onto www.castlefarmshop.ie or telephone 087 678 5269 Follow us on facebook or on twitter @castlefarmjenny