Updated News Release
Minister Trevor Sargent will attend the 10th annual Potato Day at
The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim
16th March 2008, 11am -6pm
Trevor Sargent, Minister for Food and Horticulture, has been confirmed to attend The Organic Centre’s Potato Day on March 16th at 4pm.
The Organic Centre has invited principals, teachers, parents and students of local Primary Schools to meet the Minister later in the afternoon.
Trevor Sargent has just launched the ‘Meet the Spuds!’ Potato Growing Challenge for Primary Schools. Pupils are being challenged to sow the seed potatoes in February and harvest their crop in June. Speaking at the launch Mr. Sargent said, “It is vital for food security in Ireland and worldwide that more people become involved in growing their own food. The skills to grow potatoes and other nutritional food are an important part of a rounded education. I also hope more young people will think about agriculture as a career as more schools grow more food.”
The 10th annual Potato Day at The Organic Centre coincides this year with The International Year of the Potato. The day will raise awareness of the importance of the potato and potato collector Dave Langford, a member of the UN ad-hoc steering committee for the international year of the potato, will display more then 100 varieties of potatoes, from the common ones to the obscure.
Gardeners from the centre will give growing tips and advice on blight control.
Local men Philip McGuinness and Noel Carter will give a coping session using the Fermanagh Loy (special type of spade).
The centre’s Eco-Shop will offer 18 varieties of organic seed potatoes for sale, here is a selection: Orla, British Queen, Sante, Record, Cara, Golden Wonder, Edzell Blue, Charlotte, Bambibo and Sarpo Mira.
The Grass Roof Café will offer potato dishes on the day.
Entrance fee: €5 for adults, friends and children free, concession €3
For more information on Potato Day and a full programme call 071-9854338, e-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie, website: www.theorganiccentre.ie
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Potato Day at The Organic Centre with Minister Trevor Sargent
16th March 2008, 11am -5pm
The 10th annual potato day held at The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim on Sunday 16th of March, which kicks off the season at the centre, will have an international dimension this year with 2008 being the International Year of the Potato.
Potato collector Dave Langford, a member of the UN ad-hoc steering committee for the international year of the potato, will display more then 100 varieties of potatoes, from the common ones to the obscure. Gardeners from the centre will give growing tips and advice on blight control and conduct a planting session using the lazy bed method (coping). The Grass Roof Café will offer potato dishes and the Eco-Shop will sell a selection of organic seed potatoes.
Trevor Sargent from the Green Party and Minister for Food and Horticulture will address visitors on the day. He has just launched the ‘Meet the Spuds!’ Potato Growing Challenge for Primary Schools.Pupils are being challenged to sow the seed potatoes in February and harvest their crop in June. Speaking at the launch Mr. Sargent said, “It is vital for food security in Ireland and worldwide that more people become involved in growing their own food. The skills to grow potatoes and other nutritional food are an important part of a rounded education. I also hope more young people will think about agriculture as a career as more schools grow more food.”
The Potato Day will raise awareness of the importance of the potato and also presents the perfect opportunity to unearth the good things about the humble spud that we might have forgotten.Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and also contain some protein, little or no fat, are a good source of potassium and contribute a significant amount of vitamin C.
In a world increasingly concerned with carbon footprints and the effects of global warming it is important to re-discover the potato, which can produce nutritious food, on less land, than any other major crop. So let’s get back to our roots and grow them or buy locally.
For more information on Potato Day and a full programme call 071-9854338, e-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie, website: www.theorganiccentre.ie
The 10th annual potato day held at The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim on Sunday 16th of March, which kicks off the season at the centre, will have an international dimension this year with 2008 being the International Year of the Potato.
Potato collector Dave Langford, a member of the UN ad-hoc steering committee for the international year of the potato, will display more then 100 varieties of potatoes, from the common ones to the obscure. Gardeners from the centre will give growing tips and advice on blight control and conduct a planting session using the lazy bed method (coping). The Grass Roof Café will offer potato dishes and the Eco-Shop will sell a selection of organic seed potatoes.
Trevor Sargent from the Green Party and Minister for Food and Horticulture will address visitors on the day. He has just launched the ‘Meet the Spuds!’ Potato Growing Challenge for Primary Schools.Pupils are being challenged to sow the seed potatoes in February and harvest their crop in June. Speaking at the launch Mr. Sargent said, “It is vital for food security in Ireland and worldwide that more people become involved in growing their own food. The skills to grow potatoes and other nutritional food are an important part of a rounded education. I also hope more young people will think about agriculture as a career as more schools grow more food.”
The Potato Day will raise awareness of the importance of the potato and also presents the perfect opportunity to unearth the good things about the humble spud that we might have forgotten.Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and also contain some protein, little or no fat, are a good source of potassium and contribute a significant amount of vitamin C.
In a world increasingly concerned with carbon footprints and the effects of global warming it is important to re-discover the potato, which can produce nutritious food, on less land, than any other major crop. So let’s get back to our roots and grow them or buy locally.
For more information on Potato Day and a full programme call 071-9854338, e-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie, website: www.theorganiccentre.ie
Monday, February 4, 2008
Advanced gardening courses at The Organic Centre with Ingrid Foley
Advanced gardening courses at The Organic Centre with Ingrid Foley
“The obvious experience of Ingrid Foley, her interest in our questions and her love in organic gardening made the day” said one course participant on last years courses.
For the first time The Organic Centre offers now advanced gardening courses with Ingrid.
There are three separate day courses offered for those who already have gardening experience but who may wish to expand their horticultural expertise.
Three topics have been chosen
Soil Fertility Management February 17th – Pest and Diseases April 12th – Weed Management October 19th
The courses will run from 10am -5pm, cost €90 and are hands-on complimented by class room sessions, making full use of the gardens and facilities at The Organic Centre.
Bookings and more information from The Organic Centre, 071-9854338, e-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie, website: www.theorganiccentre.ie
Please find below additional information about the 3 days.
Sat February 17th: Soil Fertility management… participants who undertook the garden Complete Course will have had a basic introduction to soils, this course focuses on how, as gardeners, we manage soil fertility organically. The emphasis will be on a holistic approach viz., understanding the physical, biological and chemical properties of the soil and how to work in harmony with these three properties to attain a healthy fertile soil.
Rotation and crop planning will also be covered in terms of the overall fertility plan
There will be a practical session on composting in the Organic Centre’s dedicated demonstration area, a seed sowing session to assess skills, drawing up of individual fertility plans based on soil type to link in with your rotation plan for the year ahead
Sat April 12th: Pests and Diseases
There are a myriad of pests and diseases that can affect vegetable crops, fortunately we only encounter a number of very common ones eg blight, botrytis, slugs, aphids. We will look at the most common signs and symptoms for a range of pests and diseases and how through good practise eg hygiene, biodiversity, companion planting etc in the garden the impact of pests and diseases can be minimised. Remember while control is necessary in some cases particularly in the case of disease, the organic approach in terms of attaining a good ecological balance of prey and predator will be emphasised
There will be a practical session where (hopefully we won’t find any PN D’s at the centre!) we will have a tour of the gardens with the emphasis on aspects of pest and disease management. We will also skill up in pricking out, potting up and planting on.
If you have any plant material that you have a question mark over please bring it on the day
Sun October 19th: Weed management.
Weeds in the vegetable garden are fairly obvious, but do you know how to identify whether it’s a pernicious perennial, a biennial or an annual, is it safe to put on the compost heap? It’s very important as a gardener to be able, not only to know ‘x’ plant is a weed, you should be able to name it and ultimately what plant family it belongs to. This knowledge is key to weed management
Therefore you will be sent out to gather as many wild plants that you can muster in October and you will learn how to use the wildflower guide to ID plants that can be potential weeds in your garden.
We will discuss all the methods that can be used to make our lives easier as, for organic gardeners weeding is the biggest labour input during the gardening year.
I’d appreciate participants bringing plants from their gardens that are problematic. As this course runs in October perhaps you could gather a collection late August September and bring in dry samples
“The obvious experience of Ingrid Foley, her interest in our questions and her love in organic gardening made the day” said one course participant on last years courses.
For the first time The Organic Centre offers now advanced gardening courses with Ingrid.
There are three separate day courses offered for those who already have gardening experience but who may wish to expand their horticultural expertise.
Three topics have been chosen
Soil Fertility Management February 17th – Pest and Diseases April 12th – Weed Management October 19th
The courses will run from 10am -5pm, cost €90 and are hands-on complimented by class room sessions, making full use of the gardens and facilities at The Organic Centre.
Bookings and more information from The Organic Centre, 071-9854338, e-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie, website: www.theorganiccentre.ie
Please find below additional information about the 3 days.
Sat February 17th: Soil Fertility management… participants who undertook the garden Complete Course will have had a basic introduction to soils, this course focuses on how, as gardeners, we manage soil fertility organically. The emphasis will be on a holistic approach viz., understanding the physical, biological and chemical properties of the soil and how to work in harmony with these three properties to attain a healthy fertile soil.
Rotation and crop planning will also be covered in terms of the overall fertility plan
There will be a practical session on composting in the Organic Centre’s dedicated demonstration area, a seed sowing session to assess skills, drawing up of individual fertility plans based on soil type to link in with your rotation plan for the year ahead
Sat April 12th: Pests and Diseases
There are a myriad of pests and diseases that can affect vegetable crops, fortunately we only encounter a number of very common ones eg blight, botrytis, slugs, aphids. We will look at the most common signs and symptoms for a range of pests and diseases and how through good practise eg hygiene, biodiversity, companion planting etc in the garden the impact of pests and diseases can be minimised. Remember while control is necessary in some cases particularly in the case of disease, the organic approach in terms of attaining a good ecological balance of prey and predator will be emphasised
There will be a practical session where (hopefully we won’t find any PN D’s at the centre!) we will have a tour of the gardens with the emphasis on aspects of pest and disease management. We will also skill up in pricking out, potting up and planting on.
If you have any plant material that you have a question mark over please bring it on the day
Sun October 19th: Weed management.
Weeds in the vegetable garden are fairly obvious, but do you know how to identify whether it’s a pernicious perennial, a biennial or an annual, is it safe to put on the compost heap? It’s very important as a gardener to be able, not only to know ‘x’ plant is a weed, you should be able to name it and ultimately what plant family it belongs to. This knowledge is key to weed management
Therefore you will be sent out to gather as many wild plants that you can muster in October and you will learn how to use the wildflower guide to ID plants that can be potential weeds in your garden.
We will discuss all the methods that can be used to make our lives easier as, for organic gardeners weeding is the biggest labour input during the gardening year.
I’d appreciate participants bringing plants from their gardens that are problematic. As this course runs in October perhaps you could gather a collection late August September and bring in dry samples
The Organic Centre
Rossinvers' Organic Centre bids farewell to successful students from 2007
The twelve full-time students came together last Friday to celebrate their very successful completion of the FETAC-Level 5 accredited course in organic horticulture supported by FAS. While St.Brigid was ringing in the the new season with snowflakes and bitterly cold temperatures the students where looking back on their achievements and experiences of the last year and ahead into their future career in organic horticulture.
Most part of the training took place at The Organic Centre, using the horticultural facilities, such as the polytunnels and a large outdoor vegetable production area as well as the orchard and softfruit area to demonstrate hands-on horticultural methods to successfully grow fruit and vegetable organically. During the summer students trained and worked closely together with the experienced gardenteam from The Organic Centre.
The students also received classroom teachings and lectures delivered by Organic Centre staff and guest speakers to back up the practical training.
The combination of the two ways of learning proofed very successful for the students and their trainers showing in high grades achieved in botany, organic crop protection, organic food crops and organic soil management exams and projects.
During the winter month a "Start your own Business" course plus four weeks of work experience outside The Organic Centre rounded off the diverse course in Organic Horticulture.
On the 18th of February 2008 The Organic Centre will welcome a new group of students to train in organic horticulture in an exciting eight module FETAC-course.
For more information on this course ring The Organic Centre at 071-9854338 or FAS in Sligo
The twelve full-time students came together last Friday to celebrate their very successful completion of the FETAC-Level 5 accredited course in organic horticulture supported by FAS. While St.Brigid was ringing in the the new season with snowflakes and bitterly cold temperatures the students where looking back on their achievements and experiences of the last year and ahead into their future career in organic horticulture.
Most part of the training took place at The Organic Centre, using the horticultural facilities, such as the polytunnels and a large outdoor vegetable production area as well as the orchard and softfruit area to demonstrate hands-on horticultural methods to successfully grow fruit and vegetable organically. During the summer students trained and worked closely together with the experienced gardenteam from The Organic Centre.
The students also received classroom teachings and lectures delivered by Organic Centre staff and guest speakers to back up the practical training.
The combination of the two ways of learning proofed very successful for the students and their trainers showing in high grades achieved in botany, organic crop protection, organic food crops and organic soil management exams and projects.
During the winter month a "Start your own Business" course plus four weeks of work experience outside The Organic Centre rounded off the diverse course in Organic Horticulture.
On the 18th of February 2008 The Organic Centre will welcome a new group of students to train in organic horticulture in an exciting eight module FETAC-course.
For more information on this course ring The Organic Centre at 071-9854338 or FAS in Sligo
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Organic Centre Courses 2008
The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim has just published their new courses and training programme for 2008.
The programme seeks to offer practical advice and enjoyable opportunities for the increasing numbers of people interested in organic gardening and horticulture courses. As oil prices continue to rise, we are likely to see profound changes affecting transport, food production, housing and energy sources. We strongly believe that our courses can help to prepare for these changes. We try to give course participants the skills, knowledge and confidence they will need to make changes leading to a more sustainable lifestyle. Our courses will also help reinvigorate local communities through training and other supports.
Highlights of the 2008 programme are
The Complete Organic Garden Course in Leitrim, Clare and Wicklow, starting in February 2008.
Advanced Gardening
Gardening in small spaces
Learn how to live the good life
Cooking with the Grass Roof Café
Please find attached training and course programme. If you need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact me at the centre.
Hans Wieland
Training and course co-ordinator
071-9854338
hansorganiccentre@eircom.net
The programme seeks to offer practical advice and enjoyable opportunities for the increasing numbers of people interested in organic gardening and horticulture courses. As oil prices continue to rise, we are likely to see profound changes affecting transport, food production, housing and energy sources. We strongly believe that our courses can help to prepare for these changes. We try to give course participants the skills, knowledge and confidence they will need to make changes leading to a more sustainable lifestyle. Our courses will also help reinvigorate local communities through training and other supports.
Highlights of the 2008 programme are
The Complete Organic Garden Course in Leitrim, Clare and Wicklow, starting in February 2008.
Advanced Gardening
Gardening in small spaces
Learn how to live the good life
Cooking with the Grass Roof Café
Please find attached training and course programme. If you need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact me at the centre.
Hans Wieland
Training and course co-ordinator
071-9854338
hansorganiccentre@eircom.net
Thursday, October 4, 2007
ecotourism events: apples, organic living, web-marketing, walking and more
hi guys
here is a short selection of some interesting upcoming events:
walking festival in fermanagh: go!
apple day in the organic centre
a taste of organic living (contact WON for details)
ecoevents in the gyreum (also contact them directly re volunteering for sustainable landscaping
interested in web-marketing? maybe consider this: esymposium here
here is a short selection of some interesting upcoming events:
walking festival in fermanagh: go!
apple day in the organic centre
a taste of organic living (contact WON for details)
ecoevents in the gyreum (also contact them directly re volunteering for sustainable landscaping
interested in web-marketing? maybe consider this: esymposium here
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