Philip’s passion for all things organicPrevious Next Image 1 of 3 Julie Draper is all smiles among a field of organic potatoes on the family farm at Coolnagrower, Fortal, outside Birr. Image 3 of 3 Checking the organic carrots - Coolnagrower organic farmer, Philip DraperWhen Philip Draper left Kildalton Agricultural College in Kilkenny in 1991 he was aware of organic farming, but he admits that it was “very much a niche market” at the time. Philip says that organic farming “went mainstream” from around 2000 onwards, when the supermarkets began to seek out organic produce, and the market has been “steadily growing” since then. The Organic Trust is now the country’s premier organic certification organisation, and all produce from members must bear the Organic Trust logo and also the EU organic logos, which assures consumers that it has been produced to the highest standards of organic production. “Given the labour intensive nature of organic farming, consumers do have to pay a bit more for their organic produce, but I passionately believe that it is worth it,” he concludes.

Source: Irish Independent August 27, 2022 03:28 UTC