Features
Galway School is the First to go Organic
Carnaun National School near Athenry in Co. Galway has become the first school in the country to be awarded an organic licence. Having turned their school grounds into an environmentally friendly nature trail, principal Finbarr O'Regan decided the small primary school should go for official recognition of their pupils' work and applied to IOFGA for a licence.
As well as numerous habits, a wildlife pond and many species of native trees, the school has a thriving organic vegetable garden. Using leaf mulch from their several compost heaps and horse manure from a local farmer, the garden was planted with cabbage, peas, onions, carrots, potatoes and herbs. Most of the plants were raised in the school cold frame while others came from a local organic grower.
"It's important that the children learn best practice from an early age," says Finbarr. "Especially when they are living in what is predominately an agricultural area. It's time that the organic message was taught in all schools." The pupils seem to agree with their teacher. "We got the symbol so that we can say we are organic and that it is a better way of gardening," says sixth class pupil Marion Fahy. "It's better for the butterflies too."
Cattle and sheep farming are the main types of agricultural enterprises in the Athenry area. While there is one organic farmer and one organic horticultural unit nearby, it's not an area where the local farmers seem particularly interested in organic methods. The local railway station is frequently piled high with fertiliser pallets and many of the pupils see a different type of farming when they go home.
Nevertheless, according to Finbarr, many of the local farmers are joining Reps and are therefore getting closer to organic all the time. "They're reducing their stocking rate and their fertiliser usage," he says. "And because of what the pupils are doing here at the school, at least their parents are aware of the word organic."
Traditionally the school's work on their environment is well known in the country. Many visitors come to see the school grounds which include an impressive environmentally friendly nature trail. Recently, for the fourth year in a row the school was awarded an ESB award for the best schoolwork on the environment in Co Galway. Looking to the future, Finbarr says that some of his pupils will take over the family farm and by then, they will in all likelihood, be running the farm organically. "With the growth of Galway city it won't be long before its suburbs reach out as far as Athenry," he says. "When that happens, there will be a big demand for organic produce and enormous potential for market gardening in the area."
Pointing to a rusty horse plough which stands as an ornament in the school grounds, Finbarr said, "It's only about thirty-five years ago that this plough was used. So it's not so long ago since every farmer in the area was organic."
Many of the pupils of the small Co Galway school are now wondering how long the school will be left being the only organic school in Ireland. One pupil, Martin Browne says he thinks that all schools should be organic. "I think other schools will copy us now," he says.
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