The sun shone warmly as gardeners, food enthusiasts and people for a good day out gathered last Sunday in record numbers at An tIonad Glas, the Organic College, Dromcollogher for the annual Open Day.
From early afternoon whole families came from around the country came, interested in all aspects of Organic Growing, Farming and Food.
The College Gardens
Around the main College premises the tours were led by Diploma Students and Graduates of the College. The College premises are now adapted as an Adult Learning Centre. They now feature student’s recreation rooms, library and a modern Information Technology Room and Craft Rooms and a Tearmann, quiet room for reflection.
The grounds of the College featured specimen native trees and the student enterprise acre which included field scale vegetables, protected crops in three polytunnels, bee hives, heritage potatoes, a tree nursery, a plant evolution area, grain collection and orchard.
Of particular interest was the Heritage Apple Tree “Appletown Wonder” found by college students in 1998 near Feoghanagh. This tree has been identified as a rare heritage dessert variety and is now registered as “Appletown Wonder” called after the townland where it is found.
Stock from the trees is now available commercially for orchard planting through the Irish Seed Savers Association in Scariff, Co. Clare.
Field scale vegetables.
As well as growing garden scale vegetables, the college has extended to a further acre of vegetables and crops on a field scale. These included potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onions, garlic oats green manures, flax and leeks. The experience of using machinery for larger scale production has been invaluable to the learners and was of special interest to the general public and farmers who may have machinery and an acre of land available. Despite the late spring and the very dry spell, Dr Sinead Neiland horticulturalist at the college, explained the heavy soils of Dromcollogher meant that with some watering crops were in good condition.
An Siopa Glas.
The college shop was a major feature of the open day with a wide range of local produce from vegetables and herbs to trees, shrubs, flowers and preserves including elderflower champagne, cordials chutneys and jams on sale.
Health drinks and cosmetic products.
Graduates of the college returned in numbers to help on the day to meet and exchange stories of making a living in the organic world. New business start-ups were showcased with a special demand for the health drinks, wheatgrass juice and smoothies supplied by Maggie Hanley of Kilcornan. Quality soaps, cosmetics, herbal creams, oils from Jean Mc Cormack in Carrigkerry showed how value can be added to natural produce and spending circulated within the community.
Launch of An Meitheal Cooperative.
This was another landmark event in the life of the college in bringing together past graduates and friends towards pooling their resources for group purchase, sales and supports in the areas of food, craft and services towards the community. Mr Arthur Leahy of the Quay Coop in Cork described the growth of that organisation, now employing up to eighty people and expanding even in a recession. Nothing the history of Dromcollogher, Mr Leahy outlined how a major part of his organic fruit vegetable produce, up to 8,000 euros worth per week is imported and how much of this could be grown here in Limerick and Cork. Enterprise supports for small growers he said needed to be better from the state agencies, which so often lacked an understanding of local enterprise that could create real jobs for our people here in Ireland.
Ms Fionnuala Collins of the Scarriff community cooperative outlined their progress in reforming a thirty year old organisation towards providing a range of economic and social services for the community, including building a modern community kitchen. She called for a network of small cooperatives across Munster and said the key to success was engagement with the diverse skills that exist in communities and not leaving it to a chosen few.
Membership of An Meitheal is now open and contact details are at the college.
Beekeeping Certificates Presented
Mr Eamonn Magee president of the Irish Beekeepers Association presented National Preliminary Certificates to a range of students. Thanking the college and the local support of Mr Andy Burke of Lombardstown, Mr Magee said Beekeeping was on the increase and it was a wake-up call to people across the country towards better pollination, honey and preserving a rich environment. The College course in Beekeeping blended with horticulture and spread throughout the year was he said and excellent way to learn the craft.
The Organic College runs Day Courses and Distance Learning Courses to National Certification Level 5 and Diploma Level 6 standard. Applications are made directly, for details contact Kathleen Lynch or Maria Browne Phone 063 83604 or see website www.organiccollege.com