Northern Ireland
Mushroom Growers
Association

Owner of Keenaghan Mushrooms

Frank has farmed all his life in county Armagh on a small mixed farm mainly dairy production and vegetable growing . In 1988 the small dairy farm of 20 cows was no longer profitable and so Frank’s Father decided to join the diversification scheme. The cows and quota were sold and in their place two Mushroom tunnels were built. In 1986, in small converted farm sheds Franks journey growing mushrooms began, where he was filling 8 tonne of phase 2 compost /week,  and producing 4 tonne  of white mushrooms per week. In 2012, Frank and his wife, went on to expand their farm and now grow 65 tonne of phase 3 compost per week on a modern Dutch shelving system, producing 25 tonne of chestnut mushrooms per week. Since 2000, Frank has been a member of Northway Mushrooms and has served on its board for 12 years up to 2020. During this time the mushroom industry has seen many changes highlighted by the opening of the Northway new compost facility in Ballygawley in 2019. Being a member of a producer organization showed the huge benefits of growers working together.  As a result of this Frank is a big advocate for the PO scheme as he can see the benefits gained from them.

From a young age Dermot has had a keen interest in both the horticulture and agriculture, working on the family farm.  When he finished school, approximately 30 years ago, Dermot decided to turn his hobby into a career and has since dedicated his life to his farm.

The main enterprise on Dermot’s family farm has been a 150 cow Dairy herd. Alongside this, he has also been running a  60 acres apple orchard but this has gradually been reduced over the last 20 years and now is down to approximately 15 acres. Dermot started growing Mushrooms in 1989, in six 12 tons sheds, each producing 6 tonne of white mushrooms per week. Over the last 23 years the mushroom operation has expanded and now produces 85 tons of mushrooms from 15 sheds per week. Since 2000, Dermot has been a member of Commercial Mushroom Producers who grow and market their own mushrooms. During his time working in the mushroom industry, Dermot has been instrumental in progressive changes such as the new Northway compost facility in Ballygawley  in 2019

Dermot is a strong supporter of producer organizations and takes a keen interest in diversification and adding value to the product.

Eamon is another grower who has dedicated his life to farming since leaving school approximately 30 years ago.

The main enterprise on his family farm was growing apples on a farm of 20 acres. Alongside apples, his farm also used to produce vegetables including cabbage, carrots and other root vegetables. However, in 1986, Eamon and his father decided to switch his focus to growing mushrooms. He satered off in four small sheds, each producing 4 tonne of white mushrooms per week. Over the last 25 years, his mushroom operation has grown and now produces 70 tons of mushrooms from 24 sheds per week. In 2015, Eamon expanded into marketing mushrooms, founding and becoming director of Annaghmore Mushrooms. . Annaghmore Mushrooms also plans to develop new added value mushroom and vegetable products to expand the product portfolio of local mushroom growers. In 2017, Eamon was one of the founding members of Mushrooms Producers Organisation (MPO ) and remains a strong supporter of producer organizations.