At the heart of Broughgammon are Ballycastle local man, Charlie and Wicklow born Becky Cole. They are first-generation farmers who have transformed a blank slate of boggy land into an innovative, regenerative farm providing ethical and sustainable produce. They are proud to showcase their farm to school children and visitors during the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend on 12-14 June.
A Blank Slate and a Big Vision
Charlie always knew he wanted to farm. After studying agriculture and working in estate management, he returned home determined to make a go of it. When his parents bought the land at Broughgammon, there were no barns, no handed down family farm business, just basic ground and potential. For many, the size of the challenge might have been a deterrent but for Charlie and Becky, it had the promise of freedom and they relished the challenge.
With no previous generation dictating how things “should” be done, they were able to build something from scratch. It was risky and experimental but also ambitious and forward-thinking.
“It’s liberating,” Becky says. “We didn’t have to convince anyone. We could create our own story and take it where we wanted.”
From Retail Design to Regenerative Farming
Becky’s path to farming was far from traditional. With a background in art and design, she worked as a creative designer in Dublin for the Dubarry brand, designing the stores and shaping how customers experienced their products and storytelling. She had also built a successful fashion blog and designed for Vogue so she knew how to create something with visual impact.
Today, those skills are woven through every part of Broughgammon. The farm shop is carefully styled, and the customer journey is intentional. The brand feels well thought out from the traditional stone walls, the feeding troughs used as bathroom sinks and the great choice of activities available to visitors. There are regular classes in foraging, herbalism and butchery that invite the visitor not just to visit a farm but to experience farm life.
As for Charlie, he brings relentless energy to the never-ending jobs to do around the farm. He also has a dogged determination to solve problems (he jokes that he solves most practical problems with the help of YouTube tutorials). Together, these two are a formidable team, blending practicality and creativity in equal measure.
Turning Waste into Worth
One of the first animals that Charlie and Becky became interested in is goats. In the dairy industry, male goat kids are often euthanised because they have no commercial value. This reality didn’t sit comfortably with Charlie and Becky. So, they began rearing the billy goats by hand, initially planning to supply a restaurant. When that deal collapsed, they were left with meat and no buyer.
Instead of giving up, they made goat burgers and took them to the famous Lammas Fair. Becky laughs as she recalls that first day. Sales were painfully slow at the start, and it seemed their bold idea might fall flat.
That evening, however, they moved into a nearby pub and everything changed. All it took was one customer, fuelled by a couple of drinks, to take a chance on the unfamiliar burger. After a few enthusiastic bites, he became their best advertisement, urging everyone around him to give it a try. The burgers sold out that night, and Charlie and Becky haven’t looked back since, going on to serve their goat burgers at events and fairs across Northern Ireland.
That stroke of luck marked the beginning of a direct-to-consumer approach that now defines the farm. They later applied the same thinking to rose veal, tackling the waste of male dairy calves that often have limited value and are exported or culled.
Charlie and Becky have a simple philosophy: if we are going to eat meat, we must value every animal. That’s why, at Broughgammon, every animal is reared to the highest welfare standards, with care and respect at the heart of everything they do.
Farming in Rhythm With Nature
Today, Broughgammon is a diverse enterprise with goats, veal, pork, chickens, eggs, lamb, Belted Galloway beef, vegetable production, an on-site butchery, farm shop, café, classroom space and seasonal family events.
But at the heart of it all is a commitment to regenerative farming. Charlie and Becky explain how their farm works in cycles so as not to deplete the soil. When a vegetable crop finishes, pigs are moved in to eat the leftovers. As they root around, they lightly cultivate the soil for a shallow, natural plough that releases less carbon and fertilises the ground with manure. After the pigs move on, a nitrogen-fixing mix of peas and barley is sown to restore soil health before vegetables are planted again. What they describe harks back to deeply traditional farming methods and sounds like a return to farming in harmony with nature.
“We have to think like this,” Becky explains. “Otherwise, there won’t be quality soil or nutrients left. This way, you get a better product, and you protect the land.”
Farming as a Family
For Charlie and Becky, farming is a family lifestyle choice. They are parents to two young children, one with additional needs and they are acutely aware of both the sacrifices and the privileges of this life. First-generation farming means reinvesting constantly so there is no financial cushion. It’s relentless work involving weekends, long days and a fair amount of uncertainty about things like the weather and market prices.
But it also means space, fresh air and the privilege of bringing up children who are deeply connected to nature. Becky laughs about pushing prams piled high with cabbages from the polytunnel. Their children grow up understanding where food comes from and that humans are part of nature, not separate from it.
“I feel incredibly lucky,” she says. “I don’t take it for granted.”
What Visitors Will Experience at Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend
During the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend 2026, visitors to Broughgammon will see a true farm-to-fork journey in action.
They can:
- Tour the animals and hear the honest story behind ethical meat production
- Learn how regenerative farming protects soil and biodiversity
- Explore the farm through family scavenger hunts designed to get children moving and discovering
- Visit the farm shop and butcher
- Enjoy handmade sausage rolls, home bakes, great coffee and Becky’s homemade blackcurrant cordial in the café
The Real Heroes of Open Farm Weekend
The Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend celebrates the farmers who open their gates and share their stories. Charlie and Becky Cole represent a modern face of Northern Irish farming, showcasing regenerative practices and a deep respect for animals and the land.
In the picture is one of Broughgammon Farm’s inquisitive kid goats.
