The Original Plan

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Our conversion plan is reproduced here for your interest.

Organic Farm Conversion Plan

1) Introduction

The organic was started on 1 February 2000. Initially it comprises an 8 plot rotation on a one hectare site. The intention is to raise the fertility of the soil through organic management and to be commercially viable within 3 years. Previously the land was in grass (over 10 years). The field was ploughed on 1 February 2000. It has since been marked out, destoned, prepared and planting has begun.

The first year's cycle will be attempted with low infrastructure partly to keep costs down in the early stage of business and partly to observe growing conditions and plant reactions. The germination, sprouting, growing and harvesting cycle will be observed and modified in subsequent years. The area under organic cultivation will be expanded depending on the success of the initial 1 ha. It is intended that another ~2 ha contiguous with the first will be brought under cultivation at the end of 2000 and that two additional sites (one of ~8 ha and one of ~15 ha) will be brought under cultivation in 2000 or 2001.

The site for which certification is being sought is dedicated to horticulture, however, the surrounding area is being landscaped (principally clearing access paths and planting of plants, shrubs and trees) and it is intended to introduce an apiary as early as possible. There will be no livestock on the farm except the possible introduction of a few ducks on the current site when suitable infrastructure is built and the introduction of horses on a new site in future.

As the enterprise grows, on site processing and packaging may be introduced.

(This plan is based upon our business plan for the organic farm dated October 1999.)

2) Production

The farm is conversion of a grassland site to horticulture. It is generally well drained, being on a slight slope. Previously the land was used for grazing, principally of cattle. The field has not received any chemical treatment for over a year. It had been sprayed with slurry in 1999. It was ploughed on 1 February 2000 and has since been tilled, de-stoned and marked out. Planting stared on 20 March 2000.

The soil appears to be a medium loam with some patches which are more sandy and others more clayey. Within each of the eight plots there is generally some of each of the three loams. It is expected that conditions will rapidly tend toward a uniform loam encouraged by plant action, addition of organic matter (animal manure, green manure etc) and tilling. The farm will adopt a low tillage approach to bed preparation. The rotation is designed with deep rooting plants that break up soil to depths of 2 ft and thus the rotation will improve tilth over time. The low tillage approach encourages the development of beneficial microorganisms, worm population and rhizomal areas in the soil.

The soil test is attached. It indicates a good level of nitrate/nitrogen but low levels of phosphorous and potassium. Ideally these low levels will be raised by the application of bone meal and rock potash.

Generally nutrient levels will be maintained by:

• The incorporation of nutrients from the recently ploughed surface
• Ploughing in of intersown green manures in early spring.
• The application of composts generated by the farm.
• The application of brought in materials e.g. manure. It is expected that the minimum application of manure would be 10-20 tonnes per acre every other year.

a) Rotation

The rotation is adapted from Eliot Coleman's eight plot rotation described in The New Organic Grower. Coleman's rotation has been proven to work in a similar climate on a long term sustainable basis. The adaptions are the addition of intersown companion herbs and changing some of the intersown green manures to varieties more readily available here.

The rotation (adapted from the original business plan) is as follows:

There are eight plots parallel to one another. Each plot is approximately 1,250 square metres.

Seeds have been principally sourced from Chase Organics and Seed Potato Specialists with some landscape plants from Kings seeds. Most seeds are organic certified by the supplier. Varieties of main crops are:

b) Weed and Pest Control

Weed control will be mechanical. Currently all weeding to be done by hand. We are investigating the acquisition of a brush weedier for a two wheel tractor.

Pest control will be mechanical. Fleece is being used on carrots which will help control carrot root fly. Nematode removal is manual although the introduction of ducks in due course will help. Rabbits fencing is being erected. The intention is to develop a system in which pests are present but not invasive.

As plant health, weed or pest problems arise, organic methods may be used to control them.

c) Resources

The budgeted human resource requirement is for one person full time during the growing and harvesting season per hectare. This is being provided by the manager and/or hired labour. As the farm grows additional full and part time staff will be hired. Specialist expertise is occasionally obtained from advisory bodies such as the organic (e.g. IOFGA, Organic Trust) and agricultural associations e.g. Teagasc.

Equipment resources include basic garden tools plus a 9 hp two wheel tractor with plough, tiller and flail mower. A brush weeder is being sought. Greenhouse/propagation shed is available offsite for germination and sprouting.

d) Expansion

The current site may be extended to include area A (see map). Two additional sites marked B and C on the attached maps may be converted to organic tillage in the next 24 months. Site B is contiguous with the current site.

Currently only 1 ha is under horticultural cultivation. It is intended that in year 2 this area will be doubled to 2 ha by adding a similar 8 plot rotation next to the current one.

It is intended to take on a further 8 ha in 2000 which will be prepared with a leguminous green manure ready for planting in 2001 to a tillage rotation along the following lines:

The rotation will be finalised at the end of 2000 once the land has been prepared and will take in to consideration any topography or soil issues as well as results from the first season of the horticultural rotation.

A further 15 ha may be taken on in year 2001 for tillage crop planting in 2002.

Although tillage equipment is available for hire locally, specialist equipment may be acquired for planting, weed control and harvesting.

3) Sales

Initially produce will be sold direct to customers via a box scheme (for which demand has already been made) and indirectly via wholesale and retail channels (which are being investigated). Initial inquiries have already been made with local retailers and one Dublin wholesaler. These channels will be developed as produce becomes available and demand and pricing can be better gauged.

In subsequent years marketing will be developed as production stabilises and volume increases. The achievement of certification will open additional sales channels which will be important to the viability of the expanded cultivation area.

4) Management and Administration

Administration is controlled by one person. A note book record of daily activity on the farm is maintained. All inputs and products of the farm are controlled and noted by the manager. Business systems are being put in place so that as turnover increases administration is standardised and records provide a tool for ensuring quality of product and improving yields and profitability.

5) Conclusion

Ballin Temple is intent on developing a sustainable organic system and a welcome environment. There is no doubt that appropriate organic principles will be applied as production systems are standardised. The development of the domestic market for organic produce is dynamic and it is expected that the farm will be economically self sustaining within 3 years.

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