Minister Presents Awards and Challenges at Dromcollogher
To a full house on a stormy wet Monday last, the Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent T.D. presented some fifty Graduates of the Organic College in Dromcollogher with National Awards by the Further Education and Training Authority (F.E.T.A.C.) and I.O.F.G.A. the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
Mr Sargent himself a past student of the College spoke of the growth of the Organic Sector in Ireland and emphasised that this is not an exotic, niche sector but a central and growing area of food production and consumption throughout the world.
To the Graduates he said, you can have interesting, rewarding and meaningful careers in reclaiming Irelandâs rich food tradition and in building food security in the uncertain times ahead.
Focusing on 2008 the U.N. Year of the Potato, the Minister said we had valuable lessons to learn from our history with this crop. He hoped the primary school scheme would get children directly involved in growing, using and reflecting on food in a local as well as a global sense.
The target of increasing the numbers involved in organics was he said realistic. This presented new opportunities and challenges for existing farmers, growers and new graduates of the College.
Citing examples from mainland Europe he said, we were well positioned to convert many more producers to organic methods and his Department would assist by a variety of grants and schemes.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, he said now understood the value of Organic Production World wide for care of the land, care of people, communities and food security across the world.
Ms Kate Carmody, Organic Farmer and Cheese Maker from Kerry, said Dromcollogher had pioneered Organic Education in Ireland and the biggest threat to the Organic Movement across the world was the attempt by multi national corporations to force Genetically Modified Crops on farmers and consumers.
Praising the Minister for his stand on keeping Irelandâs G.M. free reputation, she urged him to hold firm as Organic stood for fair trade, for food security and for biodiversity, all of which could be threatened by narrowing the supply and control of the seed markets through Genetic Modification control by Trans National co-operations.
Ms Helen Keogh of the Department of Education and Science spoke of the growing number of adults needing to be up-skilled and to learn new skills. Adults she said were in a special position to determine the kind of learning they need and when, where and how it could be delivered.
The variety of methods of learning at the Organic College from day to weekend and Distance Learning Courses, she said showed how education should be going in the future. The Collegeâs innovation she said was acknowledged nationally and internationally in the number of Awards it had received from AONTAS in Ireland to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its Rural Development Role.
Congratulating the Graduates she urged them to use their skills and knowledge and to be a pal to others thinking of returning to education especially people who may have missed out in the earlier years.
Speaking on the theme of quality food Ms. Eimear Brophy Adult Education Officer of Co. Limerick V.E.C. said there was a growing awareness of the benefits of organics, of slow food and taste in Ireland.
This was to be welcomed for rural as well a urban communities as food was more than just to do with nutrition, but could be a vehicle for reflection on health and well being and education across all ages.
Tom Atkins Organic Farming and land use consultant said there was an increasing demand from people who want to study from home by Distance Learning.
At a time of increasing oil, fertilizer and grain prices, he said the issue of food security and basic farming and growing skills became ever more important. Climate change is real and towns, villages and communities will have to consider âpowering downâ , avoiding unnecessary use of precious supplies of energy and resources.
The organic movement and skilled Graduates, he said would be key people in rebuilding less wasteful, sustainable and more caring communities.
Mary Lynch Farming and food teacher at the College presented the Graduates with Food Hygiene Certificates. Adding value to food, preserving it and maintaining a year round supply were, she said key elements in getting a good income for the farmer and grower. Organic Enterprise was essential to keep the link between the primary producer and the consumer looking for a wide variety of food.
National Certificate Awards were presented to the following:
- Stefanie Auler, Tipperary
- Michael Higgins, Athea
- Susan Steffes, Canada
- Ryan Coote, Wexford
- Lenka Masterova, Czec Republic
- Pauline Walsh, Knocklong
- Jim Dalton, Ardagh
- Anita OâBrien, Cork
- Catherine Walsh Cork
- Maureen Enright, Dromcollogher
- Claire OâConnor, Longford
- Eoin Glavey, Waterford
- Thomas OâConnor, Kerry
- Melissa Glauser, Canada
- Stephen OâMahony, Fermoy
- Elaine Harte, Meath
- Michael Rowsome, Newcastlewest
- David Hayes, Ashford
- Kitty Scully, Laoise
Diploma Students IOFGA, FETAC Level 6
- Lucy Bell, Kildare
- Dermot Carroll, Knocklong
- Marion Cronin, Liscarrol
- Lesley Liston, Killmallock
- John Morrissey, Tournafula
- Barry OâMahony, Fermoy
- Peter Rolfe, Tournafula Limerick.
Distance Learning Students FETAC Level 5
- Jim Burfield
- John Callaghan
- Toni Chard
- Mike Kelly
- Niamh Ni Lochlainn
- Stan Pasley
- Nike Ruf
- Glenda Stanley
- Danny Treanor
- Carmel Whitty
Special Achievement Awards
- Margaret Barry, Ardagh
- Norma Courtney, Ballyhahil
- Denis Crean, Killmallock
- John Geary, Milford
- Paul Grayston, Dromcollogher
- Carlos Figueiredo, Portugal
- Alice Morrissey, Limerick
- Kevin OâDea, Broadford
- Richard Tiernan, Meath
The College is currently enrolling students for its day, weekend and Distance Learning Courses, which may be taken on a full time or part time basis.
Details on this website. Phone : 063 83604