At just 28 years old, Emer Lawrence is carving out a green future in southeast Ireland. She runs a thriving microgreens business that supplies local shops, restaurants, and private customers with highly nutritious greens harvested at their peak.
Her journey into horticulture began by taking over a fellow participant’s business from the GRASS CEILING project. “I had a huge interest in getting into the horticultural sector,” she explains. “When Gina, who was also part of the programme, wanted to sell her business, I accepted”.
Microgreens, young edible seedlings of vegetables and herbs, are at the heart of her enterprise. “They have 40 times the level of nutrients that the mature vegetable has”, she says. “People who are interested in their general health, or those who are ill and want to boost their nutrient intake, often turn to microgreens. Mine are grown in organic soil and are pesticide-free”.
Innovation is already a growing focus of her work. She’s experimenting with sustainable uses for the compost left after each harvest. “I’m trying to decide whether to reuse it, grow other vegetables like potatoes with it, or sell it on. I’m still figuring out the best approach”.
But like many entrepreneurs, Emer’s path has not been without challenges. “Probably the biggest obstacle is myself—dealing with confidence and impostor syndrome,” she admits. Beyond the personal, she also points to broader structural issues: “There aren’t as many grants or supports for getting into horticulture compared to the dairy and beef industries”. Support systems, she says, are crucial for growth. “We import a lot of our vegetables and fruits from Ireland. Helping people get into this sector could make a real difference”.
What she values most about her work is the autonomy. “Working around life has been fantastic,” she says. “It also allows me to explore my interest in horticulture, pursue training, and build a network”.
She’s already active in the local enterprise board, which provides training, mentoring, and networking events. “It’s a great way to meet other entrepreneurs, especially women”, she adds. Her participation in GRASS CEILING has also been transformative. “It helped me build a network; more importantly, it’s how I came to have this business in the first place”. With roots firmly planted and ambition blooming, Emer is growing more than microgreens—she’s cultivating a sustainable and empowering model for young rural entrepreneurs across Ireland.