Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op (Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op) was established in 1998, in response to a lack of markets and educational opportunities for Organic Farmers in the region. The early adopters of organics were mainly originally from the European continent coming to Leitrim to escape the industrialisation and intensifying farming systems in their own countries. In addition, some locals, mostly small farmers with cattle and sheep, had joined organics under SM6 of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). . At this time there were limited market and educational opportunities within the country for organic farmers. Some farmers developed linkages with other farmers but as numbers and the range of produce grew, market outlets were needed to stop produce being sold conventionally without a premium.
The first initiative of the co-op was to approach Drumshanbo Mart to arrange an organic livestock sale. This initiative has now grown to the point where there are monthly sales, and the mart has become the main centre for organic livestock sales in the country. The co-op established offices in 2001 and with assistance from Pobal secured a community services programme with a strong emphasis on improving the lot of smallholders in the Northwest. The membership base grew, and the co-op developed its business, providing accounts services to members, and developing outlets for organic beef and lamb.
In 2005 it commenced selling beef and lamb at Carrick on Shannon Farmers Market which it established. The business is now continued by Irish Organic Meats. The co-op went on to develop a relationship with Linden Foods in Dungannon and this has continued to date supplying organic beef through Slaney Foods in Wexford now ABP Slaney. The co-op was also instrumental in establishing Western Organic Network in 2004 which received Skillnet Funding for training programmes in Organic Farming. Working with Organic Trust and The Irish Organic Association, this grew into National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS). In addition, the co-op now provides a full advisory service for its members. ,The co-op is represented on many fora both national and international.
The Board of the co-op decided in 2022 that it should develop an initiative to encourage the growing of food locally and set about organising a community garden just outside of Drumshanbo at Mount Allen farm. 2025 has seen the project being recognised as a community garden. The plan is to have the shortest possible supply chain for the produce coming from the garden, meaning all the produce is consumed as local to the garden as possible.
Visit our Case Studies page to meet organic farmers involved in the Organic Farming Scheme here.
