Who We Are
Ailbhe Gerrard
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.
Our Story
Just north of Nenagh, Brookfield Farm is set in beautiful County Tipperary farmland that rolls down to the shores of Lough Derg.
Ailbhe Gerrard, founder of Brookfield Farm, is a farmer, beekeeper, researcher, and agricultural educator with deep interest in agriculture, creativity and regeneration. Having studied sustainable development and organic farming in the UK, she made her return home to Ireland and, for twelve years, has been developing skills, cultivating new ideas, and fostering collaborations with skilled agriculturalists and the interested public from her base on the farm.
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.
Education and research
Brookfield Farm’s success is essential in sustainable agriculture research and planning. As a Nuffield Agricultural Scholar, Ailbhe’s research report focused on adding value to farm produce and reaching customers directly.
Our interest in agricultural research and practice has culminated in the Field Exchange Festival in Autumn and Exchange days throughout the year. Here, we continue to build a community of practice and hold regular exchange days to learn, communicate, and engage with our community of creative farming ambassadors and sustainable farming stakeholders.
