From a family farm in Ireland to the fast-moving world of TikTok, Kenneth Keavey, from Green Earth Organics has been on a mission to show how sustainable farming can shape a healthier planet and stronger communities. With a PhD in organic chemistry and two decades of hands-on farming experience, he brings both scientific insight and real-world passion to his work. Green Earth Organics has built a growing community online while staying true to the heart of their farm — nurturing biodiversity, producing fresh organic food, and connecting people back to where their meals really come from.

Q. Where did your interest in sustainable farming and food distribution come from?
A: I've always been interested in being sustainable right from a very young age. Taking care of our planet is something that I am hardwired with. So when my dad needed a decision on what to do with the family farm and I had seen the home delivery model of food working so well in the UK, I thought that is what I want to do. Incidentally, as I have a PH.D in organic chemistry and having worked in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries for many years, I knew chemicals definitely do not belong on our food.

@greenearthorganics It's seems absurd to grow food that we are going to prepare and feed our families... sprayed with chemicals in the knowledge that it is absorbed into the plant. We see first-hand the connection between the fresh produce and the cooked food on our plate. We can see how the process of growing healthy food from healthy soil creates local employment and impacts on our locality positively. Sustainable agriculture is good for all and it benefits the environment immeasurably. What are your thoughts? #irishfarm #irishorganicvegetables #localfood #farmlife #summerharvest #irishproduce #chooseorganic #growvegetables #zeropesticides #organicforthewin ♬ Into The Light - Brand X Music

Q. What do you think needs to change in Ireland to create a stronger connection between consumers and local food producers?
A: Supermarkets have disconnected us from our food, plain and simple. We have had children come to our farm, thinking carrots begin their life in a supermarket in the plastic packaging. We need to get back to educating our children on growing food and making understanding this a part of the curriculum. Connecting consumers with how and where their food is produced would certainly allow people to make more informed decisions through farm walks. Social media is a hugely powerful tool that can be leveraged to show the truth of our food production systems. I think if people really knew what happened in the background outside the glitzy supermarket aisles, different decisions would be made.

Q. Farming can be demanding work — what moments on the farm remind you why it’s worth it?
A: It certainly is demanding, harvesting the first tomato of the season is an amazing highlight, or watching my son go and pick his own carrots and devour them. The taste of fresh organic produce will blow you away. But for me, the driving factor is always the life of the land, and what I mean is the flourishing biodiversity of the birds, bees and the plants, the trees and the wildflowers. Watching all of that makes me happy, and knowing that we are growing food whilst making this a richer world makes me proud.

Q. How do you balance educating people about food with making content that’s fun and engaging?
A: We've certainly learned that you need to be able to reach people. If nobody engages, it's pointless. We are still trying to work out the best combination, but there is one clear point: If you have something that is genuinely interesting, visually striking, and it is something where people learn something they are interested in, then people will engage. If it is fun as well, then that is an added bonus. We have two excellent social media team members, and they are always looking to generate interesting, fun content.

@greenearthorganics Beyoncé wore a sweatshirt with the word "KALE" on it in one of her video clips about 10 years ago. This literally turned kale into a superstar of vegetables and healthy eating ever since, wonderful news for Irish farmers because kale grows so well here in Ireland. Kale used to be grown for cattle and is as hardy as vegetables come. We have been growing kale for 20 years and never had a disease problem. What if our organic kale was just kale, and the conventional chemical sprayed kale had to be called "chemical kale" ? Our impression of food would change our realisation that our food is grown with chemicals would be clear. We may then consider their impact on our health, or how our food choices impact biodiversity. Is kale one of your go-to veggies when you're on a health kick or part of your regular diet? PS Your support over the summer has meant so much, if you can continue to support us, it makes a real difference, thank you. #organic #organicfarm #growers #nopesticides #beyonce ♬ original sound - Green Earth Organics

Q. What kind of reactions have you received from audiences discovering organic farming through TikTok
A: It's very positive; sometimes people cannot literally believe the reality. I always research the data, especially around chemicals. We only talk about facts, so when people find out the truth about chemicals in our food they can be a bit blown away. Generally, we find that people are thankful for the information we share, for the work we do on our farm, and for our efforts on social media to spread the word about how food choices can be a force for positive change.

Q. After two decades of organic farming, what lessons have shaped you and your work the most?
A: Persistence, you need to keep going even when there seems to be no obvious way out. It's hard farming, and running your own business can present some challenges that require you to go very deep, but the rewards can be great. The other universal lesson is communication. Whatever we do in whatever capacity, we are communicating. There is the obvious fact that managing 40 people requires you to communicate at different levels, but there is all the marketing and liaising with customers. Finally, our communication with nature and our planet. We are always communicating, and knowing how to do it effectively is probably the greatest lesson I am continuing to learn.

Q. What do you enjoy most about creating content on TikTok?
A: Obviously, it is great when it gains traction and you start to get comments and feedback. It's an easy platform to use and it allows you to reach a younger and different audience compared to other platforms. It's definitely fun and fast, and it is clear we need to be learning more about how to make content that suits the platform more too!

Q. How would you describe the impact using TikTok has had on your business?
A: We've attracted new customers and have had loads and loads of positive encouragement. We have learned that we need to do things a little differently on TikTok, and we are still learning. It certainly has helped us reach a different audience.

@greenearthorganics It has been the summer of abundant harvests, sunshine, blue skies & showers! All the vegetables coming out of our fields are at the best they've ever been. Fabulous weather (great for eating out). However, we continue to face into August with loads of produce and scratching for orders to fill. We rely completely on individual orders each week and summer is always a big dip in sales. We have a fantastic network of Irish suppliers from all over the country, all organic just like we are. There are over 40 organic Irish fruit and vegetables available from our network - think juicy blueberries, new season potatoes, crisp courgettes, broccoli and so much more. It's a bumper time for Irish Produce. ☘️ If you haven't already, do sign up to our emails for all the latest news from our farm as well as weekly specials. Thank you to everyone that has supported us, it means the world and it means we can support other farms too. #organic #growers #sustainability #organicfarming #organicfood ♬ original sound - Green Earth Organics

Q. Are there any other Irish TikTok creators you admire who are helping to promote organic farming and/or food?
A: Lord of the Lettuce (@portnoomarketgarden) is always generating interesting content and providing a strong message, and Riverford organic farmers (@riverfordorganicfarmers)