We believe in organic – since 1983
It all started with a group of Germans moving to Tipperary…
Ballybrado Ltd. was established in 1983 as one of Ireland’s first commercial organic farms, focused on the idea of living and working in harmony with nature. It all began when Josef and Marianne Finke, Richard and Sylvia Auler, and Helmut Borchers moved to Ireland with their families in search of a greener life. What started out as the idea of self-sufficiency quickly turned into a driving force for the development of the organic movement in Ireland.
People from all walks of life flocked to Ballybrado to see organic farming in action, share thoughts and experiences, go on farm walks together, and actively shape organic farming in Ireland. Interviews in radio and national television helped spread the word of organic farming – farming for the future.
Growing organic grain was the first farming activity at Ballybrado. Due to the near-complete absence of an Irish market for organic food, most grain was exported to mainland Europe. As the interest in organics in Ireland started to grow, a mill was purchased to grind the organic grain into flour. This flour was sold all over Ireland, mainly through health food stores. Organic bread was baked in the ovens of Cahir Bakeries and distributed around Tipperary.
As the interest in organic food increased year-on-year, so too did the organic activities at Ballybrado. Ballybrado Ltd was the first company to export organic produce from Ireland, demonstrating that consumers are actively interested in organic food from a clean environment. Baked goods (who still dreams of the hazelnut-chocolate chip cookies?) were added to the range of flours and grains, knitting wool was spun from the organic sheep flock.
Josef collaborated with several organic farmers, growers and consumers across Ireland in order to develop organic standards and certification and inspection systems for organic production in the Republic. Josef was chairman of the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association and later director of the Organic Trust. He worked in several committees of the government, representing the voice of organic sector.
In 1989, Josef and Marianne founded Good Herdsmen Ltd., today the largest dedicated organic meat processor in Ireland and the UK. In 1994, as Director of Organic Trust Ltd, Josef’s input was sought by the Irish government for its “Committee for the Development of the Organic Sector”.
In 2010, having qualified as a chef and having completed a degree in Business Studies and Culinary Arts, Josef and Marianne’s daughter Julia joined the company. Julia is a creative force to be reckoned with and put her creativity and food skills to great use. She developed spelt-based baking mixes for breads and cake, speciality baked goods, as well as mueslis. Ballybrado’s Spelt Multi-Seed Soda Bread was a firm favourite with many customers, who appreciated the new take on a traditional Irish bread. Her Junior Muesli won the Bord Bia National Organic Award in 2010, impressing with ‘flavour, texture, and its funky packaging’.
In 2013, Ballybrado Ltd celebrated 30 years in Ireland. This was marked with a roadshow that took Julia all around Ireland, visiting health food shops, doing tastings and showcasing the current product selection in a special, celebratory shelf.
In 2014, Josef received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the development of the organic sector. Pictured are Josef and Marianne with Minister Tom Hayes and Aidan Cotter (Bord Bia) at the presentation of the award.
Things have changed considerably since 1983. Livestock is now the main activity at Ballybrado, and the mill is now located in Macroom, Co. Cork. One thing that has never changed in all these years is Ballybrado’s dedication to the organic sector in Ireland.
Our Mill
All our organic grains are carefully ground to order by a 3-foot diameter stone mill in Macroom, Co. Cork, by our miller, Donal. The stone mill grinds the entire grain and moves much more slowly than modern industrial roller mills – this helps to keep the flour cooler during the milling process, thus preserving more nutrients and flavour in our flour. All our wholemeal flours contain all the goodness of the full grain – nothing added, nothing taken away. The flour is ground in small batches to ensure freshness, and is packed and dispatched from Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of all things organic. Our packaging is made from 100% paper and is fully recyclable. Our orders are shipped in cardboard boxes, our packing tape is made from paper and can therefore also be fully recycled. We sell in retail packs but also in bulk sizes – reducing the amount of packaging and transport.
What motivates us is a firm belief that organic farming is the only sustainable way to farm for the future. With each purchase of a Ballybrado product you are ensuring that soil is cultivated in an organic manner – with no artificial fertilisers, pesticides or other harmful chemicals. Good for our soil, our water, our climate – and all of mankind!
Organic Certification
We are certified by the Organic Trust annually. Our organic licence number is 39.
The Organic Trust is Ireland’s premier organic certification organisation and is an acknowledged centre of excellence due to the broad range of organic technical expertise available to its members.
Established as a not-for-profit organisation, the mission of the Organic Trust is to assure consumers that food labelled as ‘organic’ and bearing the Organic Trust and EU organic logos, has been produced to strict standards of organic production. The Organic Trust logo is more than just a trademark – it is representative of organic standards that have been developed to embody the organic principles of health, ecology, fairness and care.
Firm Favourites
Popular Produce
At Ballybrado, all our products are 100% organic. Organic is what we do, since 1983 – it’s not just a sideline of our business. You can rest assured that we do our utmost to ensure we supply only the best, 100% organic products to you, our valued customer.
