Con Traas is the finest farmer of his generation. His work in The Apple farm confounds most every notion of modern Irish farming: his work is singular, distinctive, regional, terroir-based, and profitable. He has turned his face against the blandness of commodity farming, sought out a new way of thinking about agriculture, and new practices to make it work. Goddammit, Traas makes farming sexy! Give this man a television series and he could do for Irish farming what Prof Brian Cox has done for physics and astronomy. His produce is superlative, and he is in control of every aspect of his production and supply chain.
People don't come to the Apple Farm to shop: in truth, they make a pilgrimage to salve their souls. They know that this is how farms should be, and they want to be reassured that there are farms that are brilliant, health-giving and inspiring. The Apple Farm inspires, it feeds your soul as well as your body.
