Fuchsia Excellence Awards

Excellence in Farm Diversification - Food

For successful use of farm resources.

Sponsored by The Farmers Journal

Winner:

Skeaghanore Duck, Ballydehob

Eugene and Helena Hickey farm 120 acres near Ballydehob on which they have a herd of 50 dairy cows and 60 other cattle. In 1994 they decided to diversify into rearing and processing ducks. Having always reared geese and turkeys for Christmas they got additional advice from Teagasc. Output has grown from 30 to 300 birds per week since then and accounts for 50% of farm income. The product has been very well received for its superior quality due to less intensive rearing practices and achieves a 25% premium over other commercial Irish duck. The business now employs 2 full time workers with 3 working part time and another 2 seasonal jobs.



Mairead Lavery, Farmers Journal, Helena Hickey, Skeaghanore Duck & Minister Joe Walsh

Other Nominees:

Gallán Farmhouse Foods, Skibbereen


In addition to his furniture business Finbarr Hourihan runs the family dairy farm of 130 acres at Clohane near Skibbereen. In 1999 in conjunction with farm manager Jerry Lannigan, Finbarr began looking for a way to add value to the milk from their herd of 50 cows. Research suggested ice cream, yogurt or cream cheese. Jerry took the project further by completing a rural enterprise course with Teagasc. Following further consultancy work with Teagasc Moorepark and support from West Cork Enterprise Board they renovated an old dairy to produce cream cheese. The enterprise is currently using 15% of the milk, contributing 20% of farm income and providing 4 part time jobs, including Finbarr and his wife. They have continued to refine the product and its presentation and having initially targeted the food service sector are now launching the cheese in the retail multiples.

Waterfall Farms Ltd.


Declan and Rosemary Martin and their two sons run a vegetable farm of about 100 acres (half leased), at Waterfall near Cork. The Martin were forced to diversify in 1998 when after 16 years supplying one of the major multiples with fresh veg they were given 3 weeks notice of termination. With a staff of twelve to whom they felt a commitment and crops in the field they decided to get into prepared vegetables for the catering trade. They undertook some research including a visit to similar enterprises in the UK, but most of the product development was undertaken by Rosemary who has a keen interest in all things culinary. They now process about 40% of their own veg, as well as buying in other vegetables to offer a full range. The enterprise continues to expand and with the help of West Cork LEADER Co-op they installed a potato preparation line. The prepared veg accounts for 80% of farm income and employs 10 full time and two part time staff. Waterfall Farms has won several Bord Glas hygiene and quality awards including the overall national title in 2000.

Molaga Honey, Timoleague


Jerry Collins on farm enterprise Molaga Honey dates back to 1865 when his grandparents started commercial beekeeping. Jerry himself learnt his craft from his parents, grandparents and another skilled local beekeeper, taking over the business in 1955. When he took over the farm some years later he scaled back the number of hives until with the assistance of West Cork LEADER Co-op in 1993 he increased output to commercial levels again. Besides his 370 hives, most of which are at dispersed locations through West Cork, the farm enterprise comprises a herd of 90 cows and a similar number of dry stock cattle. The honey accounts for 40% of farm income and provides one full time and three part time jobs. The honey is sold in jars nationwide and demand is very strong, the major constraint is supply. Molaga Honey is the only commercial Irish producer of comb sections. In addition to his own hives Jerry buys from 20 different farmers, a number of whom he helped to establish through training run by West Cork LEADER Co-op.

Collins Dairy Farm, Waterfall


Tom and Ann Collins milk 40 cows on their 56 acre farm near Cork (10 acres leased). Looking for ways to diversify they started an open farm in 1987, although the project never really took off it was the start of a process that led them into their next venture – ice cream making. Whilst on a research trip to open farms in the UK they picked up on the idea of ice cream making. In 1996 they converted an old cow stall to an ice cream dairy and the business now accounts for about a third of income from 15% of their milk. Their major market is the food service sector across Munster, although they have developed a niche retail product as well. The ice cream enterprise provides one full time job and 3 part time incomes.