Inside the Gate: Highbank Orchard, Co. Kilkenny

This Inside the Gate Open Farm Day is organised by Farming For Nature and is an opportunity to visit a farm and see the important work that farmers do for nature in your local community. This event is open to families, and will be held on different farms across the country on Sunday August 30th. You must purchase a ticket to attend as numbers are limited (first come, first served). Adult tickets cost €5 and kids (under 16 y/o) go free!

What to expect

Located in county Kilkenny on land steeped in family history, Highbank Farm have been producing organic apples on the family farm since the 70s. Rod and Julie Calder-Potts are prime examples of farmers who have diversified their farm, creating an enterprise that is ecologically and economically viable. Their organic orchard supplies them with apples for artisan apple juice, apple syrup, apple cider, vinegars and much more, almost all of which are processed on the farm.

Respect for and connection with nature is at the heart of the farm. They have built two lakes, planted forestry all around the farm and sowed pollinator friendly flowers to encourage solitary bees amongst other insects. There is a wonderfully diverse range of wildlife on the farm, including a badger set, snipe, otters, kingfishers, raptors, buzzards, crows, rooks, jackdaws, ravens, magpies, jays, woodcock, as well as a wide range of insects and fungi.

THE HIGHBANK EXPERIENCE 
Travel by tractor train through our orchards and taste under the magical oak tree canopy our award winning spirits, vinegars and syrups. Owner lead and individually designed to suit group requirements, this is a unique, real, organic farm taste and tour experience catering for the interests of the culturally curious and specialist groups. The tour includes product tasting, a visit to the distillery and farm shop. We are a 5th generation farm, 40 years organic tailoring your interest for each tour e.g. local family history, biodiversity, wellness, food processing, circular economy, sustainability, Our multi award winning apple products include apple brandey, apple rum, medieval cider, apple balsamic vinegars and apple syrups to taste. Let us tempt you.

Some highlights may include:

• Meet the farmer and tour the orchards and farm.
• Get a train across our farm! We have a actual train that goes through the farm - it is great fun!
• This will leave at 10am, so don't be disappointed - turn up in time!
• Come look at our amazing habitats and find out what lives in them - Organic orchards, ponds, woods, hedgerows, tillage fields.

Other information:

• There will be Apple cider vinegar, Apple Juice and other apple products for sale so bring cash if interested in purchasing.
• There will be a toilet available.
• No dogs allowed.
• Please wear suitable clothing and footwear (this is a working farm). Dress for the weather.

FFN is a non-profit organisation and any money raised is circulated back into the farming community. FFN is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Services.

You have to book a ticket in order to get the location and car parking details.