Watch: 'Gathering of Growers' event champions horticulture industry
Horticulturists and growers from across the country gathered at Airfield Estate in Dundrum yesterday (Monday, October 14) to attend the inaugural 'Gathering of Growers' event, which aimed at connecting and celebrating the industry, facilitating an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and skills.
The 38ac working farm, gardens and self-sufficient restaurant was inspired to host the event as a means of shining a spotlight on the horticulture industry, whose contribution to feeding the nation is often overlooked, according to Airfield Estate's CEO, Claire Mac Evilly.
Mac Evilly said that "there is a need for us to work together within our growing community".
"As the demand for sustainable, locally sourced food continues to rise, this event provided a space for growers and suppliers to come together, share their experiences, and learn from one another.
"We think it's important to shine a light on the sector because the disconnect between farming and where food comes from, is massive nowadays. I tell the story of the little girl who was here on her school tour, standing in front of the chickens, asking, can you cook that?"
"For most people, coming to airfield will be the only farm they'll have ever visited," she added.
The event was chaired by prof. Mary Brennan, a food consumer researcher at the University of Edinburgh and included a key note speech from August Bernstein, head gardener at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, in Oxfordshire.
Bernstein shared her personal journey, highlighting the vital role of locally grown food in elevating the restaurant experience, and offering practical tips for enhancing sustainable growing practices.
The ex flight attendant took up her role as head gardener four years ago with no previous horticulture experience.
She outlined the traits required of an aspiring horticulturist and spoke at length about the merits and accessibility such a career transition can present.
"You've got to be hardy. It's all wonderful when the sun is shining, but when it's snowing, you have to have passion and you have to have love and you've got to have grit.. because when your fingers are freezing, unless you've got that love, passion and determination, it can be really, really tough.
"But I think when you find that thing in life that you love, all of that just disappears. My role is to educate, to share my passion and love for growing vegetables and produce and to try and encourage as many people to start growing their own food.
"As an often-over-looked part of the food chain, it is key that we have the requisite supports to preserve the traditions and practice for future generations. Ireland has a reputation for producing world-class ingredients and this should be protected,” Berstein said.
Jim Cronin was one of the market gardeners in attendance at today's event. The Farming for Nature ambassador manages a 16ac organic market garden farm in Co. Clare where he pioneers new organic initiatives while providing training for the next generation of organic growers.
He spoke about the labour shortages currently besetting the industry while highlighting the rewarding nature of the career itself:
"We've got to get new young people into this industry, it's a fantastic way of life. Look at me, I'm 66-years-of-age and I've been selling produce for 50 years.
"You won't become a millionaire, but you will have the most interesting career you could ever imagine," Cronin said.
He believes more training and education facilities must be introduced in order to address the lack of professionals entering the industry.
Cronin converted to organic farming at 21-years-of-age and travelled Europe throughout the course of his career to keep up to date with the latest innovations shaping the industry.
"I just felt in my body and my heart and soul that organics was the way to go. It's a really innovative, fast-forward learning industry, so you have to be quite innovative to be an organic farmer.
"We are conservative as a group of people, that's who we are, that's our nature but we need to move forward rapidly, we need to take on these new ideas like cover crops, soil health, various different types of machinery, and different ways of marketing," he added.
Cronin believes that the future of the industry will be characterised by "small scale, local producers" and will be dependent on marketing narratives promoting its social, economic and environmental benefits, which will be key to shoring up consumer support.
Mac Evilly aspires to make the 'Gathering of Growers' an annual event, with hopes of building on the relationships fostered and the knowledge shared between industry stakeholders yesterday, which she believes is key to ensuring a resilient future
"We want this to become a Davos style event," Mac Evilly said.
