What would make a conventional tillage farmer walk away from the type of farming he had always practised and start all over again?
For Kevin Scully, founder of The Merry Mill organic farm & mill in County Laois, the turning point came in the cab of a tractor. After becoming unwell while spraying crops, he began questioning not only the chemicals he was using, but the economics of modern farming itself. Nearly 30 years later, Kevin has built Ireland's first organic gluten-free oat mill, producing premium foods that are shipped to customers around the world.
In this episode of Food Matters, Kevin joins Mick Kelly of GIY to share the remarkable story of how he changed up the entire business model and work practices of his family farm to build a system that was healthier, more sustainable, and far more economically viable.
They also discuss the hidden costs of our modern food system, the role of glyphosate and chemical inputs, supporting farmers to produce healthier food, and why Ireland has the potential to become a global leader in premium organic food production.
Ireland