Broglasco Farm was the first legal biodiesel producer in Northern Ireland, but Leona Kane discovered the potential for Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil in 2006, when she used their unfiltered rapeseed oil to cook two celebratory steaks after they installed a range cooker in their farmhouse, which was undergoing renovations.
Over a decade later, the popularity of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil continues to grow.
The oil seed comes from the fields that have been farmed by her husband Richard’s family for more than 100 years on the outskirts of Limavady, Co Derry.
Their products are renowned in Ireland and the UK, and it all began with Leona, whose idea for a part-time business became so much more.
Leona Kane of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil. \ Peter Houston
“I look back and think ‘how did I do it?’ We were completely new and nobody knew what rapeseed oil was. I was at home with my three-year-old child, who wasn’t keeping well, I just found out I was pregnant again and had decided to start a business. That was the beginning of the challenges, never mind the actual challenges of starting the business and learning a whole new process.
“In the beginning I thought it would be nice having a part-time job and that working from home would be lovely, being about for the kids. I was always motivated to run my own business and raise the children, but I never thought it would go to the extent that it has.
“This year we’re looking forward to launching with Liberty London and we’re hosting private dinners with our local chef, Paul McIntyre. Our first event is sold out and we’re launching a new farm tour with local restaurant The Lime Tree.
Leona Kane of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil. \ Peter Houston
“Brexit is something that everyone keeps asking us about because we’re farmers and producers, no one knows what’s going to happen. You can have plans in place but at the end of the day we have to keep on working, it’s our business and no one is going to compensate us for Brexit happening. We have to keep doing what we’re doing, selling a good-quality product that people will want to buy.
“When I was starting the business I was very lucky. My mum, granny and one of my aunts helped out with the washing and cooking so that I could go out and sell. I went door-to-door and to farmers’ markets. If I hadn’t had strong connections, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.
First steps
“I wouldn’t say that business is a man’s world. If you ask for advice you’ll get it and plenty of men gave me guidance. In the food world everyone works together and if you know what you’re talking about and have confidence in your product, I don’t think anyone will put you down.
“I was taking something from my husband’s farm, investing time and money into it, and I wanted to succeed. The business is my third baby, I had to push and promote it. It wasn’t a chore to start with, but five years in it does get to a stage where it can take over your life. Sometimes you have to take a step back. We’ve a great team now, but in the early days you’re doing everything yourself.
“The kids can see our work ethic and an end product that is made locally. We’re taking something from our farm and seeing it the whole way through. Our son, Jacob, loves trying local foods, he knows most of the products, who the farmer is and who produced it. We’re instilling that mentality of knowing where their food comes from at a young age.
“The kids helped out with the boxes and things last summer. We couldn’t take any days off because it was so busy. Every day I experience mummy guilt syndrome, especially during the summer holidays, but there are different times of the year when I will be able to take days off, I’ll be able to go and see their school plays and if they’re sick, I’m there. Having guilt as a mummy is something I’ve always dealt with. I spoke to a lot of mummies about this and they all felt the same, which makes it a bit easier.
“There is pressure on everyone, but I have never been one of those people who looks at others and wants what they have, or feel that I have to live up to their expectations. As long as our network of family and friends are happy, Richard and the kids, that’s all I care about.
“We have everything on our doorstep, the views and fresh air, it’s a nice lifestyle, a busy lifestyle, there is always something going on. And any farmer’s wife will know that there is always someone in the kitchen. You have to be prepared to have dinner for one person or 10.”
To find out more, visit www.broightergold.co.uk
Read more
My Country Living: Breaking the mould
My Country Living: 'I left school at 14, it was a different world that time'
Broglasco Farm was the first legal biodiesel producer in Northern Ireland, but Leona Kane discovered the potential for Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil in 2006, when she used their unfiltered rapeseed oil to cook two celebratory steaks after they installed a range cooker in their farmhouse, which was undergoing renovations.
Over a decade later, the popularity of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil continues to grow.
The oil seed comes from the fields that have been farmed by her husband Richard’s family for more than 100 years on the outskirts of Limavady, Co Derry.
Their products are renowned in Ireland and the UK, and it all began with Leona, whose idea for a part-time business became so much more.
Leona Kane of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil. \ Peter Houston
“I look back and think ‘how did I do it?’ We were completely new and nobody knew what rapeseed oil was. I was at home with my three-year-old child, who wasn’t keeping well, I just found out I was pregnant again and had decided to start a business. That was the beginning of the challenges, never mind the actual challenges of starting the business and learning a whole new process.
“In the beginning I thought it would be nice having a part-time job and that working from home would be lovely, being about for the kids. I was always motivated to run my own business and raise the children, but I never thought it would go to the extent that it has.
“This year we’re looking forward to launching with Liberty London and we’re hosting private dinners with our local chef, Paul McIntyre. Our first event is sold out and we’re launching a new farm tour with local restaurant The Lime Tree.
Leona Kane of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil. \ Peter Houston
“Brexit is something that everyone keeps asking us about because we’re farmers and producers, no one knows what’s going to happen. You can have plans in place but at the end of the day we have to keep on working, it’s our business and no one is going to compensate us for Brexit happening. We have to keep doing what we’re doing, selling a good-quality product that people will want to buy.
“When I was starting the business I was very lucky. My mum, granny and one of my aunts helped out with the washing and cooking so that I could go out and sell. I went door-to-door and to farmers’ markets. If I hadn’t had strong connections, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.
First steps
“I wouldn’t say that business is a man’s world. If you ask for advice you’ll get it and plenty of men gave me guidance. In the food world everyone works together and if you know what you’re talking about and have confidence in your product, I don’t think anyone will put you down.
“I was taking something from my husband’s farm, investing time and money into it, and I wanted to succeed. The business is my third baby, I had to push and promote it. It wasn’t a chore to start with, but five years in it does get to a stage where it can take over your life. Sometimes you have to take a step back. We’ve a great team now, but in the early days you’re doing everything yourself.
“The kids can see our work ethic and an end product that is made locally. We’re taking something from our farm and seeing it the whole way through. Our son, Jacob, loves trying local foods, he knows most of the products, who the farmer is and who produced it. We’re instilling that mentality of knowing where their food comes from at a young age.
“The kids helped out with the boxes and things last summer. We couldn’t take any days off because it was so busy. Every day I experience mummy guilt syndrome, especially during the summer holidays, but there are different times of the year when I will be able to take days off, I’ll be able to go and see their school plays and if they’re sick, I’m there. Having guilt as a mummy is something I’ve always dealt with. I spoke to a lot of mummies about this and they all felt the same, which makes it a bit easier.
“There is pressure on everyone, but I have never been one of those people who looks at others and wants what they have, or feel that I have to live up to their expectations. As long as our network of family and friends are happy, Richard and the kids, that’s all I care about.
“We have everything on our doorstep, the views and fresh air, it’s a nice lifestyle, a busy lifestyle, there is always something going on. And any farmer’s wife will know that there is always someone in the kitchen. You have to be prepared to have dinner for one person or 10.”
To find out more, visit www.broightergold.co.uk
Read more
My Country Living: Breaking the mould
My Country Living: 'I left school at 14, it was a different world that time'
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