Meet Agri Aware's Open Farm hosts in Co. Kildare and Co. Galway
Open Farm is Agri Aware's flagship event in educating the general public on Irish agriculture and food production by opening up the gates of family-run Irish farms.
This free immersive farming experience allows visitors of all ages and backgrounds to connect with the land, animals, and producers who play a vital role in the farm-to-fork process.
Open Farm is returning to Co. Kildare once again in 2025 after its success in 2024, with this year's event taking place on Joe and Kevin Doran's dairy farm in Donadea.
The Dorans milk a herd of pedigree Holstein Friesian cows and are liquid milk suppliers – which provides the opportunity to showcase consumers exactly where the milk they purchase and consume in the supermarket originates from.
The Kildare Open Farm event is taking place on Saturday, June 14.
Kevin Doran said that the opportunity to host the Agri Aware Open Farm Day was one of pride for him and his family.
He said: 'When I was first approached about hosting Open Farm, I immediately said yes.
'We are passionate as a family in what we do here in terms of producing a sustainable top-quality product with, first and foremost, the welfare of our animals being the top priority.
'To be able to showcase this to both primary school students and the general public as part of Agri Aware's Open Farm is one of excitement for us as a family that we are looking forward to.'
The second Open Farm event is taking place for the first time in Co. Galway on the farm of Aonghusa Fahy and family in Ardrahan.
Aonghusa operates a suckler-to-beef enterprise, bringing all cattle to finish on a grass-based system.
The west of Ireland is synonymous for suckler beef production and Aonghusa is a top example of a farmer producing top-quality livestock whilst implementing technology and practices that are not only making his farm more efficient and profitable but, as importantly, more sustainable.
From blooming hedgerows to eye-catching stone walls, the Fahys' farm typifies suckler farming in the west of Ireland and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase to the general public how top-quality beef is produced off a grass-based system.
Speaking about hosting the inaugural Open Farm event in Co. Galway this year, Aonghusa said: 'As generations pass, the connection between food and its origins is increasingly being lost, even in rural communities.
'We take immense pride in what we do, from the care we give our animals to the quality of food we produce.
'Through Open Farm, we want to share our story and show the public how we're farming sustainably for the future.'
The Co. Galway Open Farm event is taking place on Sunday, June 15.
Both events will run from 10:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. All are welcome!
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