Sustainable Energy Awards 2012

Has your organisation improved its energy efficiency? Would you like to gain recognition for your efforts? The 2012 Sustainable Energy Awards is open for entries.

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Recent BioBlitz at Lough Boora Parklands

BioBlitz is a scientific race against time! The aim is to find as many species as possible within a park over a 24 hour period. This exciting event allows scientists, students and the general public to come together and learn how scientists and recorders use their skills to study the wildlife of an area.

Read more: Recent BioBlitz at Lough Boora Parklands

Teagasc Farmland Flora and Fauna Seminar

A large crowd of farmers, agricultural advisers and those involved in agri-environment heard about the wide range of native wildlife found on Irish farms at a Teagasc Farmland Flora and Fauna seminar held in Birr, Co. Offaly today, Monday, 11 June 2012.

Read more: Teagasc Farmland Flora and Fauna Seminar

Minister McEntee Announces Investment Aid of €3.7 Million

The package provided grants to 152 commercial horticultural producers to assist in funding capital investments in specialist new equipment and facilities.

Read more: Minister McEntee Announces Investment Aid of €3.7 Million

HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest 7th June

Apologies this week, as time running out means that we have not segmented the news as usual but we will be back to normal next week.

It was all bout Bloom 'again' this week except for the worrying news for suppliers that Altlantic Homecare is in Examinership. We will keep you updated.

The final award of Bloom 2012, the People’s Choice award was presented to Erika Reeves from Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary for her “The Cystic Fibrosis Ireland” garden. The winner of this coveted award is voted for by visitors to the show over the 5 days. Another important award was the Bloom 2012 Garden Designers choice of best garden who selected Dierdre Penders for the Machnamh / Reflection Garden as their favorite. Anne McKenna gives and insightful review of her visit to Bloom and is calling on the garden centre members of GCAI to get behind the event. If you were too busy or just not bothered to attend then you can get a flavour of the whole event with the Bord Bia videos of day 1 to 5. For all the Bloom lovers out there the 2013 dates are already announced. I would say, despite the weather that the event was again a great success for the trade. I am basing my opinion on the fact that even though we are 'all ears' for any complaints or suggestions to improve the show there were none to be had and that is strange because from what I know about exhibitors of any kind, they are not slow to put the boot in when needed. Happiness is a thing called 'Foot Fall'.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest 7th June

IFA President Sets Out Issues for Agri Sector at Conference of County and City Councils

Addressing the Annual Conference of the Association of County and City Councils in Kilkenny this morning, IFA President John Bryan set out the vital contribution of farm families to the rural and wider economy, and the thousands of jobs that farming supports in food processing, inputs and services.

Read more: IFA President Sets Out Issues for Agri Sector at Conference of County and City Councils

Exporting Awareness Event

The awareness event is designed to support companies thinking of exporting for the first time or those that are in the early stages of exporting.

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Renewable Products Safeguard Jobs

Renewable Products Ltd has expanded its product range, safeguarded jobs and made significant cost savings with the assistance of Invest Northern Ireland’s Industrial Symbiosis (IS) service.

Read more: Renewable Products Safeguard Jobs

HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest May 31st

We are coming live from Bloom 2012 over the next few days. You can see all the categories of show gardens in the list of articles below along with all the best at show and medal winners. Rain has not stopped play on the first day and there is a fine outlook for the 4 days ahead so there will be an expectation that crowds may meet the 2011 numbers of 90,000. In response to those numbers last year, the show organisers have put a bigger emphasis on ease of movement through the gardens and exhibits for visitors this year.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest May 31st

Bord na Móna Wins Big at Green Awards

Award recognises Bord na Móna’s sustainable supply chain involving 377 separate business suppliers.

Read more: Bord na Móna Wins Big at Green Awards

Innovative Lady Muck Gallops to Success in Republic of Ireland

Maguiresbridge-based Lady Muck Organic Manure is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to develop and market a novel range of sustainable compost for the gardening and horticultural industries particularly outside Northern Ireland.

Read more: Innovative Lady Muck Gallops to Success in Republic of Ireland

Irish Region Joins Regions 4 Recycling Project

The region has become an active partner in the ‘Regions 4 Recycling’ Interreg IVC European project, a partnership initiative comprising 12 European Regions with the ambitious target to promote regional contributions towards a European Recycling Society.

Read more: Irish Region Joins Regions 4 Recycling Project

Teagasc Updates Guide to Vegetable Growing

Guide to Vegetable Growing for all interested in "Grow Your Own" in particular.

Read more: Teagasc Updates Guide to Vegetable Growing

More Participation at Dutch Fair Plantarium

The number of national and international registrations for participation of the Dutch fair for garden plants Plantarium 2012 continues to grow. The Plantarium 2012 will be held in the Plantarium building at the International Trade Centre in Boskoop-Hazerswoude.

Read more: More Participation at Dutch Fair Plantarium

Food Innovation Gateways

A new Teagasc Food Technology and Knowledge Transfer Strategy to support Irish food companies was launched by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD at the Food Innovation Gateways exhibition in Dublin. Over 40 Teagasc technologies for the food industry were exhibited.

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Food Sector says YES Vital for Investment and Future Growth

Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII), the group that represents Ireland's major food and beverage sector, today called for a YES vote in the Stability Treaty referendum and said ratification was necessary to help Ireland's exporters continue driving economic growth.

Read more: Food Sector says YES Vital for Investment and Future Growth

UK: Fruit and Veg Cheaper on Street Markets

The big four supermarkets groups are not matching the prices offered by street markets for fruit and vegetables, recent research suggests.

Read more: UK: Fruit and Veg Cheaper on Street Markets

List of All the Bloom 2012 Medal Winners

31st May 2012: Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival brought to you by Bord Bia will begin its five day run when the gates open to the public this morning at 10am. The festival, which runs through to Monday 4th June takes place on the grounds of the Visitor Centre in the Phoenix Park, Dublin which is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year. The event includes 27 show-gardens, 100 Irish food and drink producers, 40 nurseries and 160 retailers all on a 70 acre site.

Read more: List of All the Bloom 2012 Medal Winners

DARD Horticulture Forum on Goods Vehicle Licensing Information

The Horticulture Forum for Northern Ireland invites you to an Information Evening on the implications of the new Goods Vehicles (Licensing of operators) Regulations 2012 for agricultural and horticultural businesses.

Read more: DARD Horticulture Forum on Goods Vehicle Licensing Information

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