IOA to host Danish organic farmers in June

The first week of June sees IOA host a group of 52 organic farmers from Denmark.  The group arrive on June 5th and Minister McEntee will offically welcome them to Ireland at the farm of Alan Mooney, in Kilcock, Co Kildare. They will be given a tour of his farm followed by an organic lunch. The farmers will be in Ireland for 3 days and will visit a wide range of organic enterprises to learn and share experiences and techniques.

Based the Jutland area of Denmark, this group of farmers comprises of small beef farmers with 10 cows, dairy farmers with 70-500 cows, and producers of maize, barley, wheat, rye, oats and potatoes. In Denmark organic farms tend to be much larger than in Ireland with farms up to 500 hectares, the average size being 200 hectares.

Highlights of the visit include a visit to Leenane to view uphill farming at its best on the farm of Bernard King, a trip to the award winning Burren Smoke House, and visits to the production units of two of the most successfull cheese producers in the country St-tola and  Mossfield.

IOA are delighted to be hosting the farmers as there is much to learn from Denmark as teh organic sector is extremely developed there. IOA would also like to thank the Organic Unit of DAFM for their assitance with this visit.