The Organic College in Dromcollogher is delighted to announce its open evening on Thursday Sept 13th as part of National Organic Week events. Exciting events will be held around the country showcasing the best in organic food products, food growing and information for those interested in becoming organically certified.
At an t’lonad Glas, teaching staff has been working for over twenty years bringing the good news about the benefits of organics to students and the public. ‘People are beginning to care more about their food, where it comes from and how it is produced and are looking to the organic movement as the fastest growing sector of agri-foods at present ‘, says Educational Director Jim McNamara. The college has seen a big increase for the demand in places in recent years, which shows more and more people are growing organically and sourcing local, organic food.
The open evening will include-
- 5 .00.p.m Tours of the gardens including the tree nursery, flowers, herbs and field-scale vegetables, a newly established plant evolution area, pollytunnels, a poultry unit and beehives.
- 6.30.pm Tasting of local seasonal produce.
- 7.30.pm Launch of the College Garden Shop – “An Siopa Glas”.
- 8.00.pm Brief presentations on:
Community Credit and Retaining Spending Locally: Speaker Jerome Scanlan M.C.C. Cathaoirleach Limerick Co. Council.
Organic Farming and Growing new Opportunities: Speaker: Mary Lynch. M.Agr.Sc Organic farmer grower and teacher.
The Credit Union as a real option: Speaker Jerry O Brien Dromcollogher Credit Union
Organics, Our Health & the Community: Speaker Claire O Connor Chairperson of the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, Grower and co-founder of Manna Organic shop Tralee.
Talks will also take place on harvesting and gardening as well as the steps to go through to have your land organically certified. This year’s organic week comes at a time when communities are facing closure of many long established facilities including banks, businesses and even some Garda stations. The focus is therefore on organics in the community and the college is glad to be launching its on-site gardening shop as well as continuing with the weekly market in the square on Fridays.
A small number of student places still remain for the courses starting in mid September.
For more information & application forms contact An t’lonad Glas (063) 83604 or apply on line: www.organiccollege.com