Education & Research

Brookfield Farm is at the forefront of sustainable, regenerative farming in Ireland, led by the knowledgeable Ailbhe Gerrard’s vision as a certified organic Farmer and educator.

Sustainable Farming With Ailbhe

Ailbhe’s Master of Science degree in Organic Farming from Scotland’s Rural College and in Environment and Sustainable Development from University College London guides her daily practice. Her dedication to sustainable agriculture is reflected in her diverse farming operations, which include an organically certified sheep enterprise, native woodlands, beekeeping for honey production, and cultivation of tillage crops.
Brookfield Farm also implements ACRES agri-environment measures, which enhance biodiversity through arable margins, bee boxes, bird and bat boxes, and wild bird cover.
These practices support local wildlife and help maintain a balanced ecosystem, which is crucial for regenerative farming, which aims to rejuvenate the soil, water, and regional biodiversity.

rECOGNITION

In recognition of her innovative approaches to farming, Ailbhe was named the Nuffield Agricultural Scholar in 2016, focusing her research on enhancing farm produce value and establishing direct customer connections.

In 2015 and 2017, she received scholarships from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). These programs involved 150 hours of intensive training, which honed her leadership skills in organic agriculture. Brookfield Farm’s contributions to sustainable living and farming practices have also

been celebrated with the inaugural RDS Sustainable Farming, Sustainable Living Award in 2019. The Field Exchange Festival has also been granted a special commendation in the 2024 RDS Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Awards in the Rural Social Impact category.

Ailbhe’s influence extends beyond the farm through her participation in the Acorns Rural Female Entrepreneur Programme and consistent media features in publications like the Farmer’s Journal and the Irish Times.

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Teaching and Course Development

Ailbhe Gerrard is a seasoned educator who has been lecturing at Gurteen Agricultural College since 2015. She brings her knowledge and experience to third-level students. Her teaching repertoire spans a variety of courses in partnership with esteemed institutions such as Teagasc, Athlone Institute, and LIT.

Her courses include:

Agriculture Certificate Dairy and Drystock Level 5-6 Topics: Farm Business planning for Teagasc verified courses.
Equine Business Studies Level 7 Topics: Computer Applications and Learning Skills with Athlone Institute.
Environment and Agriculture BSc. Level 7/8 Semester modules: Key Issues in Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture in association with LIT – written and developed by Ailbhe based on a course outline provided by LIT and was delivered over 200 hours in each of the past two years.

Ailbhe developed a five-day foundation course in Regenerative Agriculture for IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) and co-taught the first course in February 2019.

Course topics include:

History, definition, and principles of regenerative agriculture
Regenerative practices
Integrated farming, cropping, and livestock
Farm design and management
Farm to Fork: market and food systems
Support networks and structures
Regenerative agriculture within policy and regulation

Her teaching meets QQI standards for courses from Level 5 to 8, ensuring students gain practical, impactful knowledge for the future of farming.

Read her impactful research

Discover Field exchange

Field Exchange is a dynamic initiative designed to enhance the dialogue between agriculture and creativity, fostering safe discussions for progressive change in farming.

Our Mission is to help agricultural and rural communities understand the impacts of climate change and support their transition to sustainable practices.