LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION DAY
An event highlighting the importance of local food production will be held in An Sanctóir, Ballydehob on Sunday September 28.
Due to the rising costs of fossil fuels and the effects of climate change, the security of global food production is in jeopardy. As awareness grows, the importance of producing food locally is becoming apparent and tangible solutions need to be developed.
Growing Awareness is a Skibbereen-based food and farming group. Each year they run a farm walk programme providing an opportunity to exchange ideas and view different approaches to organic food production and land management.
An Sanctóir is a 30 acre community-owned holistic project just outside the village of Ballydehob, West Cork. It will be included in this year’s farm walk programme to highlight the habitat and wildlife on site and to show off the newly developed forest garden.
To expand on importance of local food production, a day-long event was conceived around this farm walk. A series of talks will take place throughout the day starting at 11.30 am, including bee keeping and working horses. A number of people will be taking part to highlight community initiatives: Matt Mills of Sustain West Cork will talk about grower’s co-ops and box schemes, while Klaus Harvey of the Transition Towns process will update us on what is being achieved in Kinsale.
Workshops and demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day including, seed-saving and composting. There will be competitions for the biggest pumpkin and the largest sunflower.
There will be café running all day from the deck of the 40ft pirate ship. Donations of home baking to be sold at the café will be gratefully received. Local food producers are invited to trade their produce, and there will be a central stall for exchanging excess vegetables.
All contributions are going towards running costs and the construction of wheelchair accessible paths at An Sanctóir. Their is no admission charge so donations of all types are encouraged. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Caz Jeffreys at (028) 25978 or email: HYPERLINK "mailto:cazjeffreys@gmail.com" cazjeffreys@gmail.com.
If you are interested in any aspect of local food production from where to purchase local food to growing your own, do come along! Parking is limited so car-sharing and cycling are encouraged.
GROWING AWARENESS LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION DAY
Schedule of Events
11.30am Morning Coffee
12.00pm Horse Power - a talk on the use of horses as work animals in agriculture – Sandra Schmid
12.30pm Bees and Beekeeping, an illustrated talk – Tim Rowe
1.30pm Lunch and “Heaviest Pumpkin” Competition
2.00pm Community Initiatives (Vegetable Box Schemes, Allotments, Community gardens, etc.) a
discussion on what we can do locally – Matt Mills (Sustain West Cork), Joe Cronin (West Cork Community Partnership), Klaus Harvey (Transition Towns Kinsale) & Clair Osborne (Cork Mandala of Community Gardens)
3.20pm “Largest Diameter Sunflower” Competition
3.30pm Farm Walk Nature Trail, New Forest garden & An Sanctoir’s visions of land use for the future
5.00pm Overpopulation - Tim Rowe explores the challenges of feeding everyone with his talk 'Overpopulation?' Followed by a group facilitated discussion.
Ongoing demonstrations throughout the day include:-
- Seed Saving and Seed Banks: Madeleine McKeever, Brown Envelope Seeds
- Growing Fruit and Nut Trees: Paul McCormick and Jacinta French, Woodkerne Nurseries
- Basket Making: Martin O’Flynn, Maughasilly Organic Farm
Café & Exhibition & Information Point open all day
This event is supported by, An Sanctóir, Sustain West Cork & West Cork Community Partnership.