28March2024

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National Organic Conference

'Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Producers'

Overview

Conference Programme

9.00am Registration & Coffee

9.45am Official Opening & Keynote Address

Read more: National Organic Conference

The Organic College

College Places Available in Organic Horticulture

If anyone would like to study Organic Horticulture FETAC Level 5, there is still a couple of place available. This is only available to people who would intend to come to the college as a day student. Apply immediately to 06383604 or oifig@organiccollege.com

Read more: College Places Available in Organic Horticulture

Get Involved with 'One Million Trees in One Day'

Get Involved with 'One Million Trees in One Day'

One Million Trees in One Day is a charity, not-for-profit, cross-border, community and environmental initiative which will plant a million young native trees at many different sites across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in 24 hours. Its true aim however is to establish individual trees and woodlands in both rural and urban areas that will grow for many many years and which will provide valuable resources, beneficial ecosystem services and a lasting legacy for future generations.

Read more: Get Involved with 'One Million Trees in One Day'

Hugh Piggot Wind Turbine

Build Your Own Wind Turbine with Hugh Piggot

Monday 13 to Saturday 18 August 2012 | Glas Learning | Ennisnag, Kilkenny | €350 | 056 773 000. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn ‘first hand’ from the master himself! Glas Learning also have a Domestic Energy Management course booking now.

Read more: Build Your Own Wind Turbine with Hugh Piggot

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Rural Cooperation in the 21st Century: Unique Opportunities for Farm Families

Celebrating 2012 – United Nations Year of Cooperatives

An international conference, Rural Cooperation in the 21st Century: Unique Opportunities for Farm Families will take place at the BrookLodge, Macreddin Village, Co. Wicklow on Friday, 31 August 2012. It will explore an alternative way for farmers to work together in bringing their products directly to consumers, to sell their produce at a higher price, and to hence improve their profitability.

Read more: Rural Cooperation in the 21st Century: Unique Opportunities for Farm Families

National Organic Week

National Organic Week to run September 10th - 16th

National Organic Week has been held annually since 2005. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and co-ordinated by Bord Bia on behalf of Organic Focus. National Organic Week 2012 aims to continue to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of organic produce and increase the frequency of consumption of locally produced organic food.

Read more: National Organic Week to run September 10th - 16th

Bord Na Mona

Bord na Móna Policy on Peat & Peatlands

Our corporate vision “A New Contract with Nature” contextualises Bord na Móna’s mission, objectives, strategy and values and sets out a clear sustainability path for the company. This means that all of our business activities will progressively become increasingly sustainable from an environmental and social point of view while continuing to yield perennial profits.

Read more: Bord na Móna Policy on Peat & Peatlands

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Dismay at the EPA Decision to Grant Licence to Grow GM Potatoes

The decision announced by the EPA to grant Teagasc a licence to grow GM potatoes in open fields in Carlow was received with dismay throughout the food community. “There is no demand for GM foods from consumers.

Read more: Dismay at the EPA Decision to Grant Licence to Grow GM Potatoes

Dutch Company

Dutch Company Growing Strawberries in Iceland

A Dutch plant company has started growing strawberries in a greenhouse in Reykholt, west Iceland. The plan is to grow strawberries year-round. According to the manager of Jarðaberjalands (Strawberryland), Astrid Frederike Kooji, the first berries are expected to be ready for harvesting after two weeks, visir.is reports.

Read more: Dutch Company Growing Strawberries in Iceland

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest August 2nd

Apologies to those of you last week, who tried to read another insightful article There was a Court Case Fought Over Two Geraniums by John Lord. A technical mistake in our IT department.......blah blah blah. I messed up and deleted the content. Taking responsibility for things when they go wrong is what running a business is all about. It's good to see then in Update on Trade Association/BordBia Autumn Promotional Campaign that some of the associations representing horticulture are getting pro-active and will be taking on the weather among other things. It should not be a one off initiative. The sector together needs to be on a constant marketing alert that never wanes. Always relying on Bord Bia for extra time/funding input will be a waste of time as they have enough of either, nor are likely to in the near future. If anything good comes out of the initiative, apart from some good weather it will be the sector organising themselves for a much longer term collaboration.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest August 2nd

Science & Animals - Organic Food is Better For You

Many Commentators, including Prof Mike Gibney (“No scientific evidence showing organic is better,” Irish Times, July 5th) are concerned about the effects of what they see as the anti–science organic brigade. This notion is a well–worn cliche, but it is also something of a straw man. Organic farmers employ science every day, from crop rotations (more complex than in the past) to pest management and understanding soil structure.

Read more: Science & Animals - Organic Food is Better For You

Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland Bulletin

Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland Bulletin

This is the third CAISIE (Control of Aquatic Invasive Species and Restoration of Natural Communities in Ireland) Project Bulletin. In this issue we have updates on aquatic invasive species (AIS) control and some related research from our two project areas, Lough Corrib and the Grand Canal & Barrow Navigation. In addition, we outline some of our recent efforts to highlight the threat posed by AIS through education & awareness initiatives and we discuss the importance of biosecurity practices by stakeholders to limit the further introduction and spread of AIS in Ireland.

Read more: Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland Bulletin

National Organic Awards 2012 Award Categories

Award Categories

  • Best Organic Confectionery and Baked Goods
    To include all flour and sugar confectionery and bread and cake mixes etc.
  • Best Organic Grocery
    To include condiments, cereals etc.
  • Best Organic Dairy Product
    To include yogurt, cheese and eggs etc.

    Read more: National Organic Awards 2012 Award Categories

Release of CCRP 15 Report ‘Carbon Restore –The Potential of Restored Irish Peatlands for Carbon Uptake and Storage'

The Final EPA CCRP Report 15: ‘Carbon Restore –The Potential of Restored Irish Peatlands for Carbon Uptake and Storage' has been released by the EPA. The project assessed the potential economic value of restoration in terms of avoided losses and gains of C (€/tonne CO2-eq ha-1) through the use of a number of timeline scenarios. These followed the peatland from the cessation of peat extraction (Tzero), through rewetting (T1) and on to the present day (Tpresent).

Read more: Release of CCRP 15 Report ‘Carbon Restore –The Potential of Restored Irish Peatlands for Carbon...

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Decision to Uphold Payments to Organic Farmers Welcomed by IOFGA

IOFGA welcomes the decision announced by the department recently to uphold payments to organic farmers. Earlier this year it emerged that the department decided to withdraw payments to organic farmers who were in the AEOS and the Organic Farming Scheme for specific designated land areas.

Read more: Decision to Uphold Payments to Organic Farmers Welcomed by IOFGA

New Website

New Website Launched as Part of Government Drive to Reduce Burden of Red Tape on Business

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD has recently launched www.businessregulation.ie a new website aimed at reducing the burden of red tape on business by bringing together in one place clear information on regulations imposed by over 30 Government bodies and how to comply with them.

Read more: New Website Launched as Part of Government Drive to Reduce Burden of Red Tape on Business

Entry Deadline for National Organic Awards 2012

Now in their 6th year, the National organic Awards are recognised as an important feature of the organic food and drink industry. The awards are a celebration of the achievements of Irish organic food and drink growers and manufacturers. All entries will be judged by a panel of experts.

Read more: Entry Deadline for National Organic Awards 2012

Gm Potatoes

Protest Over GM Potatoes Grows

Ireland's environmental protection agency has approved the first trial of a genetically modified potato crop. Scientists say the plants have been designed to improve resistance to blight. They argue that the type of genetic modification used is akin to conventional breeding.

Read more: Protest Over GM Potatoes Grows

UK Myths about 5 a Day

The UK Government must sort out widespread inaccuracies of 5 a day claims which abuse consumer trust, says the Fresh Produce Consortium. The legitimate 5 a day logo managed by the Department of Health is an essential tool to guide consumers towards making healthy food choices; however, there are too many examples of assertions made on highly processed and composite products which are not part of the authorised scheme.

Read more: UK Myths about 5 a Day

Permaculture

Permaculture Gathering 2012 this Weekend


The second annual All Ireland Permaculture Gathering will be held at Strokestown, County Roscommon over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 3-6 August. This year’s island-wide Permaculture Gathering will take place on an evolving Permaculture farm in the heart of Ireland this August 3rd – 6th.

Read more: Permaculture Gathering 2012 this Weekend