The good news story this new year, is how Irish farmers and producers have learnt from over-reliance on international markets for our seed supply, with heatwaves in Europe causing blight in 95% of organic varieties, said Aaron McGowan from Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, head gardener at the Organic Centre, Rossinver, Leitrim.
The Organic Centre which is building up to a big year ahead for its 30th anniversary, is working with indigenous suppliers like Charles Doherty in neighbouring Donegal who are delivering top quality untreated seed potatoes to meet the gap.
“We will be stocking an increased amount of seed potatoes from mid-February in time for our annual potato day, which will be held on this year on March 2, 2025.
“To counteract the risk of damage to the supply, McGowan has said he will be upping the amount of potatoes he plants at the centre from two to 12 beds,” a spokesperson for the centre said.
“On potato day in the past and expected to be the case again, we have been joined by guest speakers on the topic of potatoes and demonstrators including the Loy association of Ireland. We also plan to have a thriving market once again,” they added.
A QQI level 5 course in organic horticulture will run at the centre in 2025 over a 12-month period.
International markets
It will be delivered in partnership with Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board. The course is a fully-funded and accredited further education course and will be taught on-site.
It will start in early spring and those interested are being advised to apply as early as possible. Applications are now open and the deadline is Friday, February 7.
Other courses planned for the year ahead include: plan a year’s harvest; design a garden for wellbeing; a willow basket masterclass weekend; fermentation; a crafting workshop; spring in the polytunnel; seasonal cooking and foraging; from fleece to fabric, a handspinning workshop; a fruit growing workshop; a dry stone wall building masterclass weekend; a cheese making workshop; Summer in the polytunnel; wild herb foraging; autumn in the polytunnel; Ayurveda; natural Korean farming; wild mushroom foraging; the art of natural dyes: creating colour from plants; wine and cider making; preparing your garden for next year; winter fruit and pruning and natural decoration making.