Daragh Morgan of ‘Daragh & Oats’ recently completed University of Galway’s Masters in Ag-Innovation course – a one-year agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship programme focused on helping students develop technological solutions to problems within Irish agriculture and the food sector.
Daragh credits the course for helping him further develop his own business, a line of oat-based breads and scones called ‘Daragh & Oats’. Read about his experience here…
How I became an unknown innovator!
The gut-mind connection is something that I didn’t fully understand until I experienced issues with my own gut. There is a saying: ‘If life gives you lemons, make lemonade’…. in my case it was, ‘life gave me gut issues – and I made oat bread!’
A great chapter in the story of my life began with a problem. As a young man, I loved outdoor sports; hiking, cycling, swimming, running – you name it.
However, my stomach wasn’t always up to the rigorous gauntlet of adventures I placed in its path. One day, while visiting a friend in Waterford, I told his mam about my stomach issues. She introduced me to oats! Because there’s no gluten in oats, they are kind to your stomach, and they have been proven to be a slow-releasing energy source.
Inspired by my friend’s mam, I started baking oat bread and scones, which really enabled me to enjoy my adventures in sport. I wanted to share this revelation with others, so I told my friends about oat bread, who told their friends, and suddenly I was making (and selling) loaves of oat bread for people I didn’t know! And to deliver my fresh-baked loaves, I was riding all over Galway on my bike.
The second chapter of my story started when I was introduced to the one-year masters programme in ag-innovation at the University of Galway. No previous qualifications were required, and as a springboard course, the fees were subsidised by the Irish Government and the EU. And since the programme combined weekly Zoom classes and nine Saturday workshop sessions at the university, I could work full-time while studying.
So I threw my hat in the ring and got accepted! The next year was a complete adventure and an intellectual rollercoaster – a lot different to what I had done in the past. But I loved learning new things – and the learning environment cultivated by the group.
I focused on perfecting my oat bread as a product and developing a plan for my business, and so, ‘Daragh & Oats’ was born. I’ve now got a brand, identified my customer base, applied for funding, and made friends amongst my classmates.
I am thrilled to have just handed in my dissertation, and am confident that I will be getting my Masters Degree in November. I can’t wait to expand ‘Daragh & Oats’!
So, what’s the most important thing I learned while on the ag-innovation course? To have the awareness to identify problems, and come up with solutions that play to your strengths.
We all have strengths and weaknesses, but leveraging these strengths is vital. The course allowed me to not only challenge myself in an intellectual manner, but also gave me the tools to set up a business that I presumed was just a hobby.
Applications are now being taken for the next ag-innovation programme. Just log onto springboardcourses.ie/details/14235 or contact Professor Bernard Carlson at walterbernard.carlson@universityofgalway.ie or 083 095 1714.
Give it a go – it can be life-changing!
