I've added Beechlawn to Produced Near-By because they are doing something genuinely important in Irish food - and doing it quietly, slowly and properly. Beechlawn is a family-run organic farm in Ballinasloe, County Galway, with twenty people working the land. They grow 50 acres of certified organic vegetables and have built one of the most rigorous, honestly-run operations I've come across in Ireland. No artificial chemicals, no pesticides, no shortcuts. Nets to keep off pests, seaweed and manure to feed the soil, insect-friendly grasses and wildflowers sown in the fields during rest periods. Studies have shown organic farms support 30% more biodiversity than conventional farms and from what I can see, Beechlawn takes that seriously. Their organic certification is held with the Irish Organic Association. They also hold Bord Bia SHAS quality assurance standard, meet Department of Agriculture food safety and plant health standards, carry the Origin Green standard and are active members of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. That is a remarkable stack of accreditations for a farm of this size and it reflects an operation that is genuinely held accountable at every level. What they grow on the farm in Galway, they supplement with certified organic produce from other Irish growers and import what cannot be sourced on the island. The result is a year-round organic supply to shops, supermarkets, restaurants, wholesalers and veg box schemes right across Ireland. Leftover vegetables that don't make it to market are donated to FoodCloud: a food charity that distributes to homeless services, soup kitchens and women's shelters.

Awards and Recognition

Winner, New and Innovative Award, Organic Awards 2018. Organic Awards 2018. McKenna's Guides listed. Corn Uí Cheithearnaigh award. Featured on RTÉ One's Saol na Feirme.

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/beechlawnorganicfarm/ https://www.facebook.com/BeechlawnOrganicFarm

Can people visit or buy direct?

Home delivery organic veg boxes featuring Beechlawn produce are available through their partner Green Earth Organics at greenearthorganics.ie​/​beechlawn.

Website

https://beechlawnorganicfarm.ie

Address Summary

Beechlawn, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway