About GrowIN
Connecting farmers and growers to share knowledge, explore new ideas and build better farming systems.
GrowIN is an Aurora Trust funded project, delivered by the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission (FFCC) in partnership with people rooted in Northern Ireland farming. We create space for conversation, collaboration and practical learning — helping people connect, share what’s working, and take positive action on the ground.
Our Purpose
We exist to support practical change in farming by bringing people together — to learn from each other, share experience honestly, and explore new approaches in ways that feel doable and grounded in real farms
Inspiration — stories and examples that help people see what’s possible
Connection — spaces where conversations and collaboration can happen
Action — more than just talk, getting on with it
How GrowIN works
GrowIN works by creating the conditions for people to connect, talk honestly and try things out — both in person and online. It’s deliberately informal and convivial (often in the pub), and never teachy or preachy.
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We focus on formats that feel practical, welcoming and grounded in real farming experience — where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing what hasn’t worked, and learning together
The GrowIN team
GrowIN is shaped and delivered by people with deep roots in farming, food and rural communities in Northern Ireland.
Helen Keys MBE
Helen is a farmer from County Tyrone. She founded Source Grow, helped set up The Veg Collective, and runs Mallon Linen along with her husband Charlie. Helen specialises in innovation, working with start ups using design thinking and lean approaches. Helen is working on using plants to mop up and cycle nutrients on farms and building the horticulture sector in NI.
Professor Jim McAdam OBE
Jim is an agricultural scientist with responsibility for the agroforestry programme in Northern Ireland. He was chairman of the Farm Woodland Forum and is a director and founder member of the Irish Agroforestry Forum. He promotes agroforestry and tree planting on farms throughout Ireland, has conducted research into and monitored agri-environment schemes, and has participated in nature-based water quality initiatives. He led a project on the impact of climate change on carbon in Lough Neagh.
Bronagh O'Kane
Bronagh O’Kane returned to the family farm in County Tyrone after a career in the Royal Air Force. Since then, Bronagh has made it her mission to improve the financial resilience of the farm by restoring its soils. Bronagh has trialled a range of innovative techniques including the use of compost and worm castings to bring the soil back to life, reduce dependency on inputs and build livestock health. Bronagh was recently recognised as Farming Life’s Young Farmer of the Year in 2022.
Will Frazer
William runs a diversified rural business with his family on the River Maine outside Cullybackey, Northern Ireland. The business had a long history in the linen industry but is now focused on the generation of renewable energy, farming and regenerating the old mill site as a hub for sustainable business. Previously, William worked at the National Farmers Union, Farmers Weekly and started his career at Forum for the Future developing advice on farming and climate change.
Current priorities
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Improving soil health across the farmed landscape
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Resilient grassland and grazing systems that support farm viability
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Fertility building and circular approaches — combining traditional methods with modern knowledge
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Trees in productive farming systems through agroforestry
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Diversifying production — including cereals, fibre and horticultural crops
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Improving water quality by capturing and cycling farm nutrients
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Building a culture of innovation in agriculture