THEN: In July 2019, we featured David and Paula Butler of Butler’s Organic Eggs in Hacketstown, Co Carlow, who told us how they started on a wing and a prayer with just 250 chicks, and grew to 3,000 birds to crack their local market.

The Butlers appeared in Irish Country Living in July 2019.

NOW: Before COVID-19 hit, the Butlers had been in the process of planning an expansion to erect another shed on the farm and add 2,500 birds to their flock.

Unfortunately, their application for grant aid was turned down by the Department of Agriculture. Despite that disappointment, they have remained undaunted.

“That was a let-down,” reflects Paula, who believes that they “fell through the cracks” as they are not a traditional farm.

“But what I’ve learned over the years is you can’t dwell on these things and that if we were going to do it, we were going to have to continue doing it without the support of the Department.”

Having to scale back their plans, however, meant that when COVID-19 hit, it was very hard to keep up with the demand for their eggs.

If we were going to do it, we were going to have to continue doing it without the support of the Department

“We only had the same amount of birds and the same amount of eggs, so what happened was our eggs were sold off the shelf within a day in all the shops - and then the shelves were left empty,” says Paula, who explains that this meant that it was harder for their long-time, loyal customers to get their eggs.

Another issue they had to contend with was the shortage of egg cartons at the height of the pandemic. Having built their brand with a very distinctive green box that stood out on the shelf, they now had to make do with grey boxes that people did not recognise automatically.

“I had customers calling saying, ‘Your eggs are not on the shelf,’” recalls Paula.

But one positive to come from this situation is that it prompted them to invest in a new logo and re-brand, with labels that will set them apart, no matter what colour the box is.

Kate Butler with an organic egg fresh from the farm. \ Phill Doyle

They have also managed to extend their flock from 3,000 to 4,500 birds, which meant that they were able to bring more eggs to the market from August.

“We’re meeting demand for what people want off us for the moment,” continues Paula, adding that they will hold off on expanding further until the path through COVID-19 is clearer.

“We have to wait and see what trends happen in relation to organic and so on, depending on what money people have to spend. So we’re content that the business will continue to go from strength to strength, but we’re a little more conscious and we’re waiting to see how things will go before we continue the expansion.”

In the meantime, they have joined Good Food Ireland and are seeing more interest in their eggs from high-end chefs. They have also been shortlisted for the National Organic Awards taking place later this month, while closer to home, they have linked in with Carlow Local Enterprise Board to work with a HR consultant, as well as a consultant from the LEAN programme, which aims to help businesses become more effective and efficient.

We’re content that the business will continue to go from strength to strength, but we’re a little more conscious and we’re waiting to see how things will go before we continue

As a result, Paula has taken on more of a role on the farm itself, alongside David, and believes that this will work in their favour long-term.

“I feel like I’ve never worked as hard!” she laughs.

Little wonder then, that she has been nominated to represent Carlow LEO for National Women’s Enterprise Day on Wednesday 14 October, which has the theme of “Stronger Together”.

“We’ve had highs and lows,” reflects Paula on the past year in business, “but the majority has been great for us.”