Ballymaloe Organic Farm
Shanagarry Co. Cork Ireland
The Farm
This 100 acre organic farm, site of the famed Ballymaloe Cookery School, is located near the sea amidst the undulating landscape of beautiful East Cork. The biodiverse farm, gardens and one acre greenhouses yield an abundance of nutrient dense and delicious fruit, herbs and vegetables throughout the year. Most of the food grown on the farm is used by the Cookery School but the farm also supplies its local community from its onsite Farm Shop and weekly Farmers Market stall in Midleton. Free-range livestock include pigs, beef and dairy cows (Angus, Kerry, Dexter and Jerseys), as well as the many free range hens (650 and counting!) ensuring the Cookery School has a constant supply of fresh, organic eggs.
This biodiverse family farm has long been at the heart of transformational experiences for culinary students from all over the world with a sustainable mindset who value food education rooted in the land. This exciting collaboration between Climate Farm School and Ballymaloe Organic Farm School is a unique opportunity to have the Ballymaloe experience through a regenerative agriculture and food systems lens.
The Team
Ballymaloe Cookery School is widely known for the work of its pioneering founder Darina Allen, a chef, writer, and longstanding advocate of food systems transformation. In addition to being welcomed by Darina and sharing a meal in her home, course participants will have the opportunity to learn from the Farm and Garden team who have been running this farm as an organic operation for over 40 years, some of whom have been working with Darina from Day One. The week is also structured around an impressive lineup of subject matter experts on a range of food matters including soil health, ecological restoration, water and the land and sustainable seafood.
What’s special about Climate Farm School at Ballymaloe Organic Farm?
This course is a deep collaboration between Climate Farm School and the Ballymaloe Farm and Cookery School Teams. Ballymaloe has decades of experience in education and organic farming and has had an incredible impact on the surrounding food system as well as chefs around the world. While cooking is a part of every Climate Farm School experience, this course features practical cooking sessions woven throughout the week. Students might look at soil microbial activity and practice fermentation of foods or understand how chickens fit into a regenerative farming system and practice breaking them down for a variety of culinary uses. Special offsite visits include a local oyster farm that single-handedly brought back the native Irish oyster from the brink of extinction and a non-organic farmer on a journey to regenerative practices. Participants will get to spend a lot of time with the legendary Darina Allen, who will share her expertise and open her home for dinner with the group.
Typical On-Farm Week
Course Pricing
Private Room: €4300
Shared Room: €3900