Our Story
Brookfield Farm is set within the beautiful landscape of Co. Tipperary running down to the shores of Lough Derg. Through careful and sustainable farming processes Brookfield produce artisan food and locally sourced honey delivered direct to you. You will find the most delicious wildflower honey, farm made beeswax candles and tender lamb minimally processed.
Valuing the relationship between farmer and consumer, Brookfield Farm deliver artisan products direct from the farm to your home.
Ailbhe Gerrard is the farmer and beekeeper behind Brookfield Farm. After working and living in Dublin and abroad for many years she returned to Brookfield farm beside her family home. Ailbhe studied sustainable development in University College London, and organic farming for three years in the renowned Scottish Agricultural College (SRUC). She was honoured with a Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship, and lectures at Gurteen Agricultural College. Driven by her vision of bringing agriculture back to its sustainable roots; producing good food for people. Ailbhe has farmed Brookfield Farm for over ten years, growing skills, developing new ideas and making collaborations with skilled farmers, apiarists and consumers.
As well as farming the land Ailbhe was inspired by the views and rich land of the farm, she set out to create entirely natural, traditionally handmade gift products from the wild honey being produced, including beeswax candles and gift boxes. The candles are dipped + hand poured often scented with botanical essential oils.
Brookfield Farm welcomes visitors for open days to view broadleaf forestry, wildflower meadows, lambs, crops, hives and craft demonstrations. Visit our Events page for more information on upcoming activities.
Or if you want to to make a difference to the bees on our farm and receive an annual supply of honey direct from hive to home check out our Hiveshare options.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Farming for Nature is an independent, not-for-profit initiative which aims to support High Nature Value (HNV) farming in Ireland. The main purpose of this award was to unearth and to share the stories of farmers across Ireland who are making a positive difference to nature on their farms and in their communities. |
Brookfield Farm were the first to be awarded the RDS Sustainable Farming, Sustainable Living Awards 2019. The RDS introduced this new category for 2019 focused on sustainable living and farming practices. This award celebrates the efforts made by an individual or farm family who are adding value to their on-farm activities through entrepreneurship, new product development, and marketing. Read more about the award on our blog here.
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Selected for Acorns 2015, 2016 & 2018 Programme Over the years Ailbhe has been selected for Acorns, the Rural female entrepreneur programme 2015 & 2016 & 2018. The ACORNS programme is designed to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. Selected entrepreneurs on the program have report increased sales, exports and employment creation.
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Nuffield Irelands mission is to enable Irish Agriculture, Farming and Food to be the best in the world, by developing effective leaders and promoting positive change. Ailbhe believes that the key to rural sustainability is to have a range of farm types and diversification models. Her report examines successful international examples linking farms straight to the consumer. She looks at a variety of marketing, communication and distribution methods – sharing the story of farm production with modified CSA models and farm direct models. You can read Ailbhes scholarship report here
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The Organic Leadership courses offers a place to soak in knowledge on organic agriculture and hone holistic leadership skills in an interactive environment. |
Selected for Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena, National Ploughing Association 2016 |
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Selected Maker for Design Ireland, presented by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
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