Donegal has highest number of new organic farmers in Ireland

Donegal has the highest number of new organic farmers in the country to make the switch in 2024.

According to Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly (main pic), 138 farmers in Donegal have joined the Organic Farming Scheme this year. This brings the total to 437 in Donegal, which now has the third highest number of organic farmers in the country at 437. 

Senator O’Reilly, the Green Party’s candidate for the upcoming European elections, said  the county is now ‘top of the leaderboard’ for new organic farmers. 

“These are really significant milestones, and they show that the organic sector in Ireland continues to grow at a significant pace,” she said. 

“Many farmers in Ireland are at stocking rates where they can easily replace expensive chemical fertiliser and imported concentrates with multispecies grass and red clover. It takes a high level of skill and understanding of how healthy soil works to trust yourself to farm organically, and Irish farmers are well able for this challenge.”

Michael White of the Donegal Greens said encouraged local farmers considering a move to join one of the many farm walks that have been planned by the Department of Agriculture to see if it is something that would work for them.