Derrybeg Farm

Each Saturday during our nine-month season (June to February), members receive a paper bag filled with freshly harvested, seasonal vegetables. Spring is dedicated to planting and preparation. Summer brings salad leaves, scallions, chard, radishes, beans, cucumbers, coriander, tomatoes, kohlrabi, courgettes, summer squash, basil, chillies, and baby potatoes. Autumn features kale, potatoes, beetroot, celeriac, pumpkin, fennel, butternut squash, swede, turnip, and cabbage. Winter offers winter squash, parsnips, carrots, parsley, onions, leeks, broccoli, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, mustard leaf, and Brussels sprouts. Please note that availability may vary due to weather conditions. For crops we cannot grow, we source from local Irish organic farms. Membership involves sharing the risks and rewards of farming with the community.

Members receive updates via email about upcoming events and important notices. During the nine-month season, the farmer also sends notifications through WhatsApp or text messages. We strive to keep our website current and maintain active Facebook and X (Twitter) pages for additional updates.

If the cost is a concern, please reach out to our membership coordinator at membership@derrybegfarm.ie. We offer a bursary scheme to assist members with low or no income, subject to availability. Bursaries are granted for one year at a time.

Currently, Derrybeg Farm does not receive EU subsidies. Each year, our steering group applies for eligible grants from local councils or other initiatives to support our operations.

Derrybeg Farm has been active since 2012. We operate on a one-acre site in Celbridge, licensed from Kildare County Council. We are part of a CSA network and connected with the international agency URGENCI.

Community-supported agriculture relies on annual commitments. If the scheme doesn’t suit you, you’re not obligated to renew the following year. We recommend experiencing a full year to appreciate the variety of seasonal vegetables.

Membership payments continue during holidays. You can arrange for a friend to collect your vegetables. If that’s not possible, inform the farmer so the produce can be shared among other members.

Pick up your vegetables at the farm in Mooretown (opposite Salesians College) on Saturdays between 11 am and 1 pm. Produce is harvested on Fridays and Saturday mornings, ready for collection by 11 am. Timely collection is important to maintain freshness. Members can coordinate collections via our WhatsApp group to minimize travel.

Absolutely! Volunteers are welcome and appreciated. Contact info@derrybegfarm.ie to express interest. After a brief discussion and completing a volunteer form, you can start. A two-week trial period applies, after which long-term volunteering is possible. Volunteers must be over 18. We also collaborate with local community groups and accommodate individuals with additional needs, provided they have support.

No, volunteering is optional. Members are only required to pay their fee and collect their produce. However, opportunities to volunteer are always available for those interested.

Receiving a weekly share of seasonal vegetables differs from shopping at a supermarket. You’ll need to plan meals around the available produce, which may require more preparation time. However, the freshness, quality, and reduced carbon footprint of the food are significant benefits. Many resources and recipes are available online and through our social media to assist you.

Local food is fresher, more nutrient-rich, and has a lower carbon footprint due to reduced handling and transport. It also fosters a connection between consumers, growers, and the land. We use sustainable packaging, such as brown paper bags and compostable materials, and encourage members to return bags for reuse.

While we do not have official organic certification, all our vegetables are grown organically. We avoid pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and artificial fertilizers.

We prefer full payment upfront, but we understand that may not be feasible for everyone. We offer the option to pay in monthly installments. Contact our membership coordinator at membership@derrybegfarm.ie to arrange a payment plan.

Membership fees are due by May for the upcoming season. Payments can be made via direct bank transfer, cash, or cheque. If you miss the deadline and spaces are available, you may still join by contacting the membership coordinator.

For the nine-month season (June to February), the subscription is €560 if paid in full or €47 per month over 12 months. The share includes a weekly bag of seasonal vegetables. The quantity varies based on crop yields and household dietary preferences.

Derrybeg Farm operates as a not-for-profit cooperative. The steering group, comprising volunteers and the farmer, oversees finances, legal matters, and farm operations. Members participate in decision-making through meetings held twice a year. Any surplus funds are collectively decided upon for reinvestment or other uses.