Mossfield Organic Farm is owned and operated by Ralph and Lorraine Haslam and is based in the Midlands of Ireland in Clareen, Birr, Co Offaly at the base of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Did you know that the Slieve Bloom Mountains are reputed to be the oldest mountain range in the world?\u00a0 Even older than Mount Everest!\u00a0 Ralph wonders does that make him the oldest farmer in the world. \u00a0He says it feels like he is sometimes!<\/p>\n
There is so much history attached to the old house and farm!\u00a0 The family of Charles Carroll, a signatory on the US Declaration of Independence lived on the property.\u00a0 Charles\u2019 ancestor, Daniel, a descendant of the O\u2019Carroll\u2019s – Lords of Ely – left the property around 1659 and travelled to Maryland, USA.\u00a0 I am sure when Daniel was leaving he did not realise that it would be a grand descendant of his that would be one of the 56 signatories on the American Declaration of Independence.<\/p>\n
After the departure of the Carroll\u2019s, the next famous family to live on the land was the Stoney family.\u00a0 Bindon Blood Stoney was a brilliant inventor who devised an ingenious way to build dock walls (and also designed the first diving bell).\u00a0 He was born in Clareen.\u00a0 Bindon and his brother, George (who \u2018invented\u2019 the electron) worked at one point as astronomical assistants on the great Leviathian telescope at Birr Castle<\/p>\n
The land at Mossfield consists of limestone pasture with a grass interwoven with wild herbs and clover – producing lush green grass – so suitable for dairy farming.\u00a0 Ralph and Lorraine have been farming here since 1970.<\/p>\n
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In 1999 the Haslam\u2019s made the decision to \u201cgo organic\u201d; a brave decision at the time.\u00a0 However, being forward thinking is an important factor in today\u2019s Ireland.\u00a0 Farming is after all a business, and there is a need to constantly rethink and reinvent methods and procedures. !<\/p>\n
Like so many farmers Ralph had to start thinking \u2018outside the box\u2019 as sticking with just traditional farming was no longer a viable proposition for the farm.\u00a0 In 2005 it seemed a natural progression…. Mossfield was producing delicious organic milk, so why not look at producing cheese?<\/p>\n
In the initial stages the cheese was made off-site, but as its reputation grew and it won\u00a0 many awards, it was time to re-evaluate again The decision was made to build a purpose-built cheese manufacturing facility on the farm.\u00a0 This was a huge decision!\u00a0 Ralph and Lorraine so believe in their cheese that they knew it was the right thing to do.<\/p>\n
The cheese is now hand-made at the facility using milk straight from the farm.\u00a0 Lorraine supervises the cheese making, it is all handmade, and hand turned.\u00a0\u00a0 This Gouda style cheese is available in a number of different flavours and as they use vegetarian rennet it is suitable for vegetarians.<\/p>\n
The younger cheeses have a lovely mild flavour, and as it matures the taste gets stronger.\u00a0 My personal favourite is the cumin seed cheese!\u00a0 Absolutely delicious!<\/p>\n
Ralph is a passionate advocate of the Mossfield organic brand and has a successful track record in selling. Despite limited resources the brand has achieved a high profile, and has consistently won awards – Great Taste, Bridgestone Award, and Irish Food Writers Guild Award.<\/p>\n
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The popularity of the range of cheeses has grown enormously from those early days.\u00a0 Now Mossfield Organic cheese is in demand not just in Ireland, but has become an international brand.\u00a0 It is now available in various European countries, and most recently in the USA.<\/p>\n
On his last trip to Ireland, it is rumoured that Bruce Springsteen bought the entire stock of Mossfield Cheese from one Dublin shop – he liked it so much!<\/p>\n
Ralph and Lorraine are not resting on their laurels though!<\/p>\n
Jonathon, Ralph and Lorraine\u2019s son, has now joined the team.\u00a0 Jonathon runs\u00a0The Organic Store\u00a0<\/strong>in nearby Birr, but recently has been working with his father on developing other by-products from their milk!<\/p>\n Cartons of Mossfield Organic Milk are now in selected stores.\u00a0 The newly branded Cheddar – Slieve Bloom Cheddar is available as well as the Mossfield Organic Buttermilk and yoghurt.\u00a0\u00a0 Mossfield Organic Butter will soon be hitting the shelves as well. Just wait until you taste their cream cheese! I\u2019ve had a preview tasting – it is delicious.<\/p>\n Mossfield Organic will continue to diversify and review its product range, building upon the consumer\u2019s desire for pure, clean and delicious products.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralph Haslam<\/p>\n Mossfield House<\/p>\n Clareen<\/p>\n Birr<\/p>\n Co. Offaly<\/p>\n Tel:\u00a0 00353 (0) 86 8928375<\/p>\n Web site:\u00a0\u00a0www.mossfield.ie<\/a><\/p>\n