Organic News
IOFGA Appoints New General Manager
Gillian Westbrook has been appointed to the new position of General Manager with IOFGA. Coming from a background in the regulatory area her initial qualifications were in consumer protection law, food and agriculture and European food law and policy. Gillian has lived and worked in Ireland for the past ten years. Previous to that she worked for the Department of Agriculture and Food in the area of trading standards which involved dealing with several hundred pieces of legislation with particular emphasis on SMEs.
Coolanowle Wins Award
Organic farmers Jim and Bernadine Mulhall are the winners of the Georgina Campbell’s Farmhouse of the Year Award for 2012. Their organic farm, quality organic food, accommodation and health treatments have acquired an excellent reputation in recent years, making them deserving winners of the award. “We were delighted to get the award,” says Bernadine. “It gives us a great boost in the current economic climate and it keeps us focused”.
IOFGA Delegation Meets Minister
A delegation from IOFGA met with Minister of State, Mr. Shane McEntee, on Thursday 29th of September at Agriculture House. The meeting was extensive and covered a number of important issues. The main focus was on how best to work together to develop organic farming in Ireland to meet the demand for Irish organic food both at home and abroad.
St. Tola Award
St. Tola cheese received yet more accolades during 2011. The St Tola log was presented with two gold stars in the Great Taste Awards and received 2nd prize in the Premio Roma award in Rome earlier in the year.
Growing Threat of Superweeds
According to the latest figures from the University of Nebraska’s Cropwatch resource, 12 weed species in the USA are now resistant to Roundup, with a further 10 species worldwide also affected. In Nebraska, glyphosate resistant giant ragweed was confirmed to have developed and begun affecting growers in recent months.
Mounting Opposition to GM
A recent report produced by Indian NGO Navdanya International and partners in south-east Asia, Africa and Latin America denies industry claims that GM technology as it exists is a benefit to farmers.
Rosie's Farmshop
Rosie and Liam Casey built and opened Rosie’s Farmshop in June 2011 on their farm at Poulmucka, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. The farm has been in Liam’s family for three generations. Originally a quality beef farm, Liam converted to organic status in 1997. This spurred Rosie to grow organic vegetables and she completed a course in organic horticulture in 2010.
The Organic Picnic 2011
An t-Ionad Glas, The Organic College, is celebrating twenty years of Organic Education during September. To coincide with National Organic Week the college is hosting a day of celebrations to showcase Irish Organic Food Producers and the Organic College.
Forage Sunday
Slow Food Galway will be hosting their Forage Sunday event at Petersburg outdoor activity centre in Clonbur, Galway on Sunday 11th September, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event dedicated to learning what can be foraged from the woods and hedgerows will include talks, demonstrations and workshops on what to do with your produce.
Organic Cattle and Sheep Sale
An organic cattle and sheep sale will take place on Saturday the 24th September from 12 noon at Roscommon Mart. Roscommon Mart has been serving farmers for over 50 years. For further information, please direct enquiries to 090 662352.
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