It’s the reverse fairytale - an increasing number of the fashion set are upping sticks to the countryside in search of the good life. PENNY McCORMICK ponders whether to join them.
Ailbhe Gerrard also enthuses about her change of direction from construction project management to farming as “a bit of a blast. There is quite a lot of mud but lots of fresh air.”
Meet Ailbhe Gerrard – an organic farmer from Ireland April 24, 2019 https://www.organicwithoutboundaries.bio/2019/04/24/organic-farmer/ Ailbhe Gerrard Organic Farmer & Co-Tutor Regenerative Agriculture Course Ailbhe Gerrard is a passionate organic farmer with a heart for bees and also co-tutor on IFOAM – Organics
Nestled on the serene shores of Lough Derg in county Tipperary, Brookfield Farm is an exciting and innovative mix of sanctuary, farm and enterprise.
An early interest in animals gave way to a career in construction until Ailbhe Gerrard finally settled on life in farming, creating a beautiful place to live and work.
Farmers are not properly compensated for the environmental and wildlife preservation work they do as part of their everyday farming enterprises, and this has to be addressed both by Irish politicians and in Brussels.
That's the view of Ailbhe Gerrard, who runs an organic farm on the shores of Lough Derg in Co Tipperary.
In her monthly Eat Ireland column, Recipe Editor Jocelyn Doyle checks out Brookfield Farm, producer of raw Irish honey, and ponders bee-focused New Year’s resolutions.
Some 20 years ago the idea that candles, and in particular the fragranced kind, would be a booming business was laughed at, quite loudly by some. Modernity poopoohed the idea that a light source that is as old as time itself would become a fashion item.
For Tipperary woman, Ailbhe Gerrard, sustainable farming is about managing different projects. These include: forestry thinning; silage making; dry stone walling; hive keeping; candle making; and teaching.
“I have different contractors for different tasks, or do them myself,” Gerrard said. She is used to overseeing teams of workers as she previously worked as a project manager on Dublin building sites.
Ailbhe Gerrard jumped from building to artisan farming. She has never looked back, writes Louise McBride
Nine years ago, Tipperary woman Ailbhe Gerrard was working on Dublin building sites as a project manager. Little did she know that she would soon be far from the concrete and cranes of Dublin and instead running her own farm in her native county - where she would become an expert on bees and organic farming. Gerrard founded Brookfield Farm, which is based on the shores of Lough Derg and specialises in artisan food, about six years ago.
In Tipperary, a former project manager has returned to her hometown to start a hive sharing farm that connects people to food production. We visited to hear more ...
Meet Ailbhe, whose hives and organic meat & veg on Brookfield Farm are reconnecting consumers with the land:
In the next installment of our Women in Ag series, we chat to Ailbhe Gerrard, a lady who has established the fabulous Brook- field Farm Hiveshare. Here, you can buy as little as an eighth of a hive and receive fresh honey from your own busy bees.
As our countryside is no longer the wildlife haven it once was, now the busy bee is moving to the city. Tara Corristine finds out more...
It is late August and the golden swatches of rapeseed have been cleared from the fields. Tractors putter down lanes and backroads, cutting back hedges and briars. It is a scene playing out across Ireland and it may be why our bees are finding solace in the city.
Ailbhe Gerrard produces lamb and honey on Brookfield Farm in Tipperary, and her unique concept, Hiveshare, is getting attention for all of the right reasons, writes Klara Heron.
I think it’s our responsibility as farmers to build a place for the environment and nature to thrive, because if we don’t, where will they go?” says Ailbhe Gerrard, as we drink tea at her kitchen table. Ailbhe bought Brookfield Farm in Coolbawn, north Tipperary, five years ago, having previously worked as project manager for construction in London.
