The Organic Producer is produced by the LeitrimOrganic Farmers Co-op, in co-operation with theWestern Organic Network and is distributed to allregistered organic farmers in North West Ireland, tosubscribers nationwide and to agricultural agencies inthe Republic and Northern Ireland. If you haveinformation you would like included in the next issue,please send it to: The Editor, Organic Producer,Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op, The Enterprise Centre,Hill Road, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.Phone: 071 9640868, Fax: 071 9640869,Email: leitrimorganic@eircom.net.(Download at www.leitrimorganic.com)Spring 2011 ISSUE 34

12 Issue 34 Spring 2011 Organic Producer

Livestock For SaleOrganic Black Gallowaypedigree cattle. "Bulls,Heifers, Cows for sale"from Organic Farm (FullSymbol IOFGA LicenceNo. 418), Galloways ofLecarrow, SpencerHarbour, Drumkeeran, Co.Leitrim. Contact JoachimSchaefer 071-9648960 orgallowaysoflecarrow@gmail.com

Two Purebred RegisteredAberdeen Angus Bulls forsale. Full Symbol. CorduffOrganic Farm. Ballinagh,Co. Cavan. To arrange toview, contact PhilipMoynagh 087 7998633/0494337465.2 in-conversion forwardstore heifers and 3limousine heifers – suitablefor breeding. (Galway area)Contact 087-2438758.

Produce For Sale

WantedOrganic Opportunities

25 acre organic farm fullyregistered organic since1999. Many enterprisesavailable - to work, share,lease, rent or for sale asgoing concern or W.H.Y.Enquiries to John Brennanat 071 9640868 or emailjohnb@leitrimorganic.com

WOOFERS required forhorticulture unit in NorthSligo from March onwards,accommodation providedon site. In scenic location,close to the sea. ContactAidan 086 1575623.

WOOFERS required fromFeb (South Leitrim)Contact Maureen 071 9641031.

Store bullocks and heiferswanted. Contact JohnQuinn, 086 2556883Tipperary area.

For Sale

50 tonne of triticale. Fullsymbol. Available rolled orunrolled. Contact Colum087 2468911.

Aberdeen Angus Cow withcalf at foot for sale. Contact087 9721152.

Small square bales of Junehay saved without rain forsale. Contact 089 4213822(Roscommon area).

Services

Colour photocopyingservice available atreasonable rates.Why not give us a call at071 9640868

Fodder For Sale 550square bales of hay and 25round bales of silage, allsaved on the farm and allfull symbol. Mayo area.Contact 087 958 2004.

Organic UK Campaign LaunchesThe new organic trade board in theUK is a welcome development fororganic farmers in Ireland.An increased awareness of organicproduce is increasing sales in the Ukretail multiples and this is having adirect knock for Irish OrganicProduce. The board which is multistakeholder has set itself a target ofover £3bn in sales by 2014 up from£2bn in 2010. This is an ambitioustarget and as our exports to thatmarket increase we will inevitablyfeel the benefit. A presentation wasmade recently to the OrganicSteering Group here with a view to

establishing an Irish Organic TradeBoard. It will be interesting to see ifor how that develops.” The £1.8million, three year campaign is aimedat generating sales growth bytargeting consumers with clearmessage about organic food andfarming and has been funded by a£300,000-a-year commitment fromindustry which the EU will match.The campaign will consist of pressadvertising, public relations activityand digital marketing under thebanner "There are lots of reasons tolove organic - discover yours". Theadvertising and tone of the campaign

has been designed to challengeconsumers’ perceptions of organicfood, what it is, what it stand for andwhy it’s worth buying. You can seeexamples of some of the adverts onwww.organictradeboard.co.uk.This is an ambitious target and as ourexports to that market increase wewill inevitably feel the benefit. Apresentation was made recently to theOrganic Steering Group here with aview to establishing an Irish OrganicTrade Board. It will be interesting tosee if or how that develops."

At the IOFGA Annual Conference onSunday, Christopher Stopes fromECOS Consultancy gave apassionate, informative view on thecurrent state of agriculture in the EUand how CAP Reform should beaddressed. “The most interesting andimportant result of the CAP Reform todate has been that the publicconsultation and communicationshowed that people want agricultureto deliver on public goods, peoplewant good quality food produced in amanner which does not compromisethe environment. Organic farming is amulti-functionary system whichdelivers just that, and research showsthat organic farming can produceenough food to feed the world as longas we all take our fair share”.Following the macro to the microJohn Liston from the Irish MilkProducers Group illustrated the

potential opportunities in the organicsector in Ireland. John detailed how20 organic dairy farmers have cometogether with the aim of securing thesupply chain and having a greaterinput into marketing their own highquality products. “The future is brightfor dynamic organic farmers whowant to deliver quality goods toconsumers, by working collectivelywe have shown that it is possible forfarmers to not only produce highquality goods but to ensure that wehave control over how that productreaches the consumer which is veryimportant”.

Dr. Tracey Larkin from LIT, wasenthusiastic about researchconducted on Irish organic milk whichwill further support research comingfrom the UK on the nutritional benefitsof organic milk. She illustrated the

extensive resources that LIT haveavailable to carry out a range ofresearch on the properties of organicfood which is good news for all in theorganic sector and for consumers oforganic food.

The IOFGA AGM took place in theafternoon and two new directors wereelected onto the Board. DesmondThorpe is an organic farmer andgrower from Wexford and SeanClancy, Clanwood Farm is a beeffarmer from Offaly. Both of the newdirectors host open days during thesummer as part of the TeagascDemonstration Organic Farmprogramme.For more information please contact

Grace MaherDevelopment Officer IOFGATel 087 6125989

Belted galloway heifershalfbreds (Limerick area)Contact John at087-6555260, emailjohnjhassett@eircom.netRequired urgently finishedcattle, also store cattle andweanlings. Contact 071 9640868 (co-op office)

2 lmx cows with 2 anguscross calves at foot julycalves 1male 1 female alsoboth in calf 2 pbr angusbull second timecalvers, tel 086 7738383(Limerick)

“FARMING POLICY NEEDS TO DELIVER ON PUBLIC GOODS”

Organic Galloway Beeffrom Organic Farm, Gallo-ways of Lecarrow, SpencerHarbour, Drumkeeran, Co.Leitrim. Contact JoachimSchaefer 071-9648960 orgallowaysoflecarrow@gmail.

IOFGA in conjunction with NationalOrganic Training Skillnet arerunning a series of evening trainingcourses in the new organicstandards. The training dates andvenues for the new organicstandards are:

February 17thBallycisteen, Limerick RdTipperary TownTipperary and Limerick

February 21stCastle Hotel, Macroom Cork

February23rdBrandon Hotel, Princes St TraleeKerry And South Limerick

February 24thHotel Kilkenny, College Road Kilkenny

Carlow, Waterford, Wexford, EastTipperary

March 2ndCounty Arms Hotel, BirrNorth Tipperary, Laois Offaly

February 21stLady Gregory Hotel, Ennis Rd, GortClare, South Galway

February 22ndThe White House, Ballinlough, Co.RoscommonNorth Galway, Roscommon, Mayo

February 23rdSligo Park Hotel, Pearse Road SligoSligo, Donegal, Leitrim And NorthMayo

February 28thArdboyne Hotel, Dublin Rd Navan, Co.

MeathDublin, W-Meath, Cavan, Monaghan,Louth, Meath

March 1stMellon Country Hotel,Castletown OmaghNorth Donegal, Northern Ireland

Training outline

7PM - Presentation on thenew standards.8PM - Presentation on thenew record books.8.30PM Questions and Answers9.00PM Discussion onestablishment of Regional Group.

Tea and Coffee will be providedThere is no fee to members attending

IOFGA Training dates for new Organic Standards 2011

2 in-conversion forwardstore heifers and 3limousine heifers – suitablefor breeding.Contact 087-2438758

Lonely Gander seeksmature female Goose withadventurous spirit andGSOH, for LTR.Contact 087 2789609

2 cattle in conversion,black Aberdeen Angus withheifer calf at foot andHereford incalf. Also four-bedroom house for rent –fully equipped. (Newbridgearea)Contact Pat087-2438758

3 Saddleback sows for salein pig . Full symbol. Verygood condition,all serviced to large whiteboar. Cavan area. Contact049 9522930/ 086 3889277

2 Issue 34 Spring 2011 Organic Producer Organic Producer Spring 2011 Issue 34 11

Application for Associate Membership

Associate Members have access to all Co-op services.

Receive free quarterly Newsletter (Organic Producer)

Can advertise Small Ads free in the newsletter or website

Can sell organic beef, lamb & other produce to the Co-op

Can attend general meetings and contribute to discussions

Can participate in all Co-op activates and training sessions

Are eligible for co-option onto the management committee.An Associate Member does nothold a shareholding and receivesno dividends.The cost of Associate Membershipin 2010 is €50.00 per year.Payment can be made annually bystanding order with your bank.Please request a standing order formfrom the office.

Membership Application FormI wish to become a Member ofLOFC and enclose €50 pleasesend me a standing order form

Name: ……………………………….............Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..................................County: ……………………………….Telephone: …………………………..Email: …………………………………

Organic Status .………………………Producer of …………………………..

Please make cheques payable to:Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op,The Enterprise Centre,Hill Road,Drumshanbo,Co. Leitrim.071 9640868

Big rise in numbers getting 'farmers' dole'THE NUMBER of farmersreceiving what is known as“farmers’ dole” has jumped from7,496 two years ago to 10,454 tothe end of October this year.Figures given by Minister forSocial Protection Éamon Ó Cuívto Labour’s spokesman onagriculture, Seán Sherlock,showed the figure has risen from8,972 this time last year.A county breakdown of therecipients showed the highestnumber of farmers drawing thepayment were on the westernseaboard, with Mayo having thehighest payout – to 1,645.The Farm Assist Scheme wasbeing paid to 1,354 farmers inDonegal. This had risen from1,219 last year. Under thescheme, which is means-tested,farmers do not have to beavailable for work.The number of recipients inGalway has climbed from 782

two years ago to 1,110 this year.There were 954 claimants lastyear.Cork had 897 farmers drawingthe payment this year, up from757 last year and 582 in 2008.In Co Kerry the figure rose from547 in 2008 to 640 last year and724 currently. In Co Clare therewere 626 farmers in the scheme.This was an increase from 511last year and 417 the year before.There was a sharp rise in theRoscommon figures. In 2008only 274 farmers received thepayment and that increased to320 last year. The current figureis 408.In Sligo the figure this year is467. This was an increase from409 in 2009 and 354 farmerrecipients in 2008.The figures for Co Leitrimshowed 309 farmers receiving thepayment. This was an increase

from 260 last year and 209 theyear before.In Co Limerick, the figuresshowed 262 farmers in receipt.This was an increase from 231the year before and 182 in 2008.Co Monaghan had a take-upsimilar to that in Co Cavan.In Monaghan there were 511farmers drawing farm assistancethis year, up from 440 last year.In Cavan, the number increasedfrom 343 last year to a total of401 this year.The take up has been low incounties Kildare (55), Louth (74),Offaly, (123), Waterford (73) andWestmeath (124). The lowestnumber of farmers receiving thepayment was in Co Dublin, with11 – two more than in 2008.

Farmers Markets for 2011Roscommon

Friday 10am - 2pmSligo

Saturday 9am - 1pmCarrick-on-ShannonThursday 10am - 2pm

BundoranFriday 10am - 2pm

Cavan TownFriday 10am - 2pm

Boyle (King House)Saturday 10am - 2pm

Dermot Doherty R.I.P.

Dermot Doherty from Drumshanbo who diedsuddenly at 61 was a shareholder and foundingmember of the Leitrim Organic farmers Co-op.He ran a butchers’ shop at the High St,Drumshanbo for a number of years and morerecently a Public house in the town. A wellknown character in the town Dermot enjoyed agood argument and his pub was part of thecultural landscape of the town, being known tomany for music sessions at the annual JoeMooney Summer School. His sudden passinghas shocked many who knew him. He issurvived by his wife Olivia and 4 sons.

CommunityInternet Facility

available for those in the organicsector and others who need it,

i.e. students and the unemployed(for projects and research).

This is a low cost service andis based at

Leitrim Organic Farmers’ Co-opEnterprise Centre,

Hill RoadDrumshanbo,

Co LeitrimIf interested, pleasecontact the office on

071 9640868.

The “Farming and Biodiversity” 3rd prize winner, YasminGreene of Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, with her teacher,Marcella Colum, flanked by the competition co-sponsors,Mark Boyden of Coomhola Salmon Trust and DamianPhelan of the Irish Agricultural Science Teacher'sAssociation, at the recent awards ceremony in the EUOffices, Dublin. (photo: Martin Reading)

Renewal NoticesLeitrim Organic Farmers’ Co-op Members were recently

sent renewal notices but the membership fee wasomitted.

The fee for 2011 is €50 which is the same as 2010 fee.

DrumshanboMart 2011

Saturday 19th March

Saturday 23rd April

Saturday 21st May

Saturday 17th September

Saturday 22nd October

Saturday 19th November

4 Issue 34 Spring 2010 Organic Producer Organic Producer Autumn 2011 Issue 34 9

Farmer Based Social Welfare for 2011In order to qualify for Farm Assist,you must be a farmer, farming landin the State, aged between 18 and66 and satisfy a means test.The means test takes account ofvirtually every form of income, butassesses it in different ways anddisregards various amounts.There are different rules applyingto income from farming and otherforms of self-employment, incomefrom certain schemes, fromemployment and from capital,including property, savings andinvestments. Your home is nottaken into account in the means

test unless you derive an incomefrom it.An increase is payable for eachchild dependant (see table 1) if youare getting an increase for a

qualified adult. If you do notqualify for a qualified adultincrease, you may get a half-rateincrease for a qualified childdependant.

Farm Assist Maximum weekly rate

Personal rate €188Qualified adult €124.80Qualified childdependant

€29.80 (full-rate)€14.90 (half-rate)

Table 1

Basically, farmers are paid an hourlyrate for work on projects such asmaintaining and enhancing publicwalk ways or sports facilities, energyconservation work for the elderly andthe less well off, village improvementprojects, social care and care of theelderly, and community care for bothpre-school and after-school groups.Participants work 19.5 hours per weekand, crucially for those involved, thehours are based on afarmer/fisherperson-friendly schedule(see table 2).

Allowance under RSS 2008 2009 2010Maximum personal rate €222.20 €228.70 €216.00

In respect of an AdultDependant (IQA)

€131.30 €135.60 €130.10

In respect of each ChildDependant (Full-Rate)

€24.00 €26.00 €29.80

In respect of each childDependant (Half-Rate)

€12.00 €13.00 €14.90

Table 2

PICTURE TAKING AT DRUMSHANBOMART NOVEMBER 2010

This course on February 26th

Saturday: Growing in Polytunnels –an introduction comes highlyrecommended. The introduction ofpolytunnels for protected cropping hashad a major impact on food growingin Ireland. To make best use of yourpolytunnel you need to know how togrow early season produce like earlypotatoes and spring onions and alsomore exotic vegetable crops liketomatoes, cucumbers, peppers andaubergines and herbs like coriander,basil and tarragon. A polytunnel alsoextends the season for many crops andprovides something to harvest all yearround. A tour of the centre’s manytunnels will show various sizes andgive advice on how to erect a tunnel.We will also cover groundpreparation, growing systems androtation, propagation and soil fertility

management, pest and diseaseprevention and control. Fee €79.

Saturday 26th February: Take theGraft out of Grafting and makeyour own fruit trees.

This Grafting workshop with fruitexpert Phil Wheal will show you thatpropagating your own fruit trees cannot only be a rewarding hobby butwill greatly reduce the costs ofcreating your own orchard or startinga nursery. Phil will ‘demystify’grafting and give you hands onexperience of techniques for graftingand budding apple, pear, plum andcherry trees. We will look at thevarieties of available rootstocks andlearn to propagate our own. And bestof all participants will take some oftheir own grafted trees home. Fee€79.

For more information and bookingsfor any of the above coursesplease contact Hans Wieland atThe Organic Centre on 071-9854338,e-mail: hans@theorganiccentre.ieor info@theorganiccentre.ieor visit the website atwww.theorganiccentre.ie

Course Bulletin February 2011(Continued from page 3)

• Full Range of Organic Feeds in Stock - Bags or Bulk• Caltech Organic Feed Blocks

• SeaquimThos. F. Tighe,

Agri Supplies, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.Tel: 071 9639040 Fax: 071 9639071

Mob: 086 8918883

Welcome to the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) Training 2011NOTS will be providing a range oftraining courses throughout thecountry in 2011. The NOTStraining programme is available tofarmers, growers, processors, foodbusinesses, and consultantsworking in any area of the organicfood sector. New entrants, farmersconsidering the organic optionand commercial producersinterested in developing theirenterprise into an organic businessare also eligible. NOTS aremanaged through a steering groupwhich has representation fromWestern Organic Network, andorganic certification bodiesIOFGA and Organic Trust. Thefollowing training programmesare being offered to help supportthe sector; for further details andupdates go to www.nots.ie. Wewould welcome any ideas thatindividuals have on training needsthat would help their businessdevelop.

Horticulture Training

Commercial Horticulture This 10day practical course delivers thetheoretical and practicalunderstanding of all aspects relatingto commercial organic vegetableproduction from start. The coursewill be FETAC certified Level 5.Trainees attend sessions approx 2days a month until October;Commencing on March 9th OrganicCentre Co Leitrim; 19th March. StColman’s Training Centre MayoCost €450Advanced Commercial VegetableProduction : 18 day course runningfrom February to October cover allaspect of organic vegetableproduction from planning tomarketing; The course will beFETAC certified Level 5commencing Mon 21st February cost€650 in Nano Nagle Centre, MallowCo Cork;

Horticulture Crop Planning: Thiscourse provides participants with agood understanding of how to plantheir season to maximise growingtime and continuity of supply.Duration 1 day Cost €50, BallinasloeCo Galway 23rd February & 2ndMarch, Dromcollogher Co Limerick;

Orchard Establishment: The 2 daycourse covers planning an orchard,soil types, aspCorkect, varietyselection, planting and harvestingwith 2nd day covering pruning andmanagement. Duration 2day, 15th

March with 2nd day to be decided€100, Organic Centre Leitrim &Seed Savers; Clare

Setting up a Vegetable BoxSystem: This course givesparticipants a practicalunderstanding of the basics inestablishing a vegetable box schemeand methods to ensure its success.Duration 1 day Ballinasloe 14th May,and Dromcollogher, Co Limerick17th May 2011 cost €50:

Soil Biology: 2 day course covering,soil chemistry, compost manage-ment and compost tea making. Datesand venues to be decided. Thiscourse also relevant to the LivestockSector Cost €100

Livestock Training

Homeopathy for Animals: Thiscourse is an introduction to basicremedies, the essential principles ofhomeopathy, how to select andapply remedies according to theproblems animals present. Duration1 day Nano Nagle Centre, MallowCork 11th May & Kilbeggan CoWestmeath 18th May €50DIY AI Training: 5 day course ontraining to enable farmers to carryout their own AI on their homefarm. Dates and training optionsavailable nationwide, Cost €400

Organic Egg Production: Thiscourse teaches the theory behindorganic egg production and thechallenges and opportunities ofsmall scale production includingunderstanding of breeds, housingand equipment. Duration 1day. NanoNagle Centre Mallow Co Cork, 12thMarch (other dates to be decided).

Organic Pig Production: Thiscourse instructs on the differencesbetween organic and conventionalpig production, processingtechniques and impact on landmanagement. Also breeds, stockmanagement as well as thepracticalities of costs and potentialincome. Duration 2 days BoyleRoscommon, 16th April & May 7th;Dundrum Co Tipperary 21st May &June 11th Cost €100.

Organic Sheep Production: Thiscourse delivers a practicalknowledge and understanding ofsuitable sheep breeds for OrganicFarming covering issues animalhealth, breeding, parasite control andnutritional needs of ewes andfinishing lambs including mixingyour own ration April 4th CoWestmeath: April7th Cork Cost €50

Beef Finishing & SucklerManagement; 1 day course on costeffective nutrition management forSuckler and beef finishing, coursewill involve ration development,grassland management, conditionscoring and practical health manage-ment. Dates 5th April Kilbeggan, CoWestmeath & 9th April, Nano NagleCentre, Mallow Co Cork Cost €50;

Organic Dairy Management; 1 daycourse on cost effective nutritionmanagement for dairy cattle, coursewill involve ration development,grassland management, conditionscoring and practical health manage-ment replacement selection. Venue; ,Mallow Co Cork 8th April, cost €50;

ration for organic pig production,including weaner and finishingrations. Also the course will coverthe benefits of clover to reduced feedcosts. Durrow Co, Laois 6th AprilCost €50:

Organic Cereal Production; 1 daycourse on organic cereal productioncovering all aspects from sowing toharvesting.Cost €50 Kilbeggan Co Westmeath,1st and 8th July

Introduction to Organic BroilerProduction 1 day course on smallscale Organic Broiler Production onthe farm; 13th April Nano NagleCentre Mallow Co Cork; & 4th MayCo Galway Cost €50

Processing or AddingValue Training

Cheese, Butter and YoghurtMaking: This practical courseguides the trainees as to how theycan produce both hard and softcheese, yoghurt and butter; it alsoprovides the ingredients for theparticipants to make their own andevaluates their produced items.Duration 3 days : Midlands 7th - 9th

March €200 & Tipperary 5th-7th

September;

Meat Butchery Training; 2 daycourse covering demonstration onhow livestock is butchered andpackaging and labelling cost €225dates 30-31stth March AshtownFood Centre In Dublin.

Pig Butchery and Sausage MakingCourse: This course will providedemonstration on how to cut up a pigin a day focussing on the differentcuts. The 2nd half of the day willprovide a practical understanding ofsausage making, the methods used toadd value to meat products, whichcuts of meat and what ratio of meat

can be used and what equipmentoptions are available.Tipperary 16th AprilCost €80; trainees will make theirown sausages;

Pig Curing and Smoking: 1 daycourse on wet and dry curing andsmoking. Cost €80; 26th MarchDundrum, Co Tipperary

Food Hygiene Training; 1 Day or 2half days including exam andcertification, covering 8 modules.Cost: €70 nationwide based ondemand;

Distance LearningTraining

Certificate in Organics (DistanceLearning): This FETAC level 5courses offers a distance learningoption to obtain a Certificate inOrganic Horticulture through thecompletion a choice of modules. Inaddition to the online training thereare also two practical experiencedays per module. Duration 1 yearcommencing September 2011;

MSc PG Dip in Organic Farming:This is a part time on-line distancelearning course in which there areeight taught modules over two yearsand a subsequent MSc project in atopic related to organic farming.Commences in September 2011;Duration 3 years; requires a fullapplication process;

Other Training

Intensive Restaurant Cookerycourse 12 week training coursecovering area of organic cookery,restaurant and menu planning,(Date and venue to be decided).

Train the Trainer: This course isFETAC level 6 and it provides thepractical knowledge and skills to

enable participants to use asystematic approach to training,assessing, evaluating and mentoringtrainees.Duration 3 daysLocation: Leitrim 21st-22nd March,18th April and Galway 9-10th May& 16th JuneCost €250;

Setting up a Farm Shop: 1 daytraining session from a farm shopowners perspective on the pros andcons of a farm shop;Venue and dates to be confirmed.Can be run anywhere; Cost €30

Courses will only proceed subjectto sufficient demand, Course will

require minimum attendancehence may be cancelled due to

insufficient demand. Courses canbe purchased online at

www.nots.ie.

To book or discussa training option,

Please contactNational Organic

Training Skillnet (NOTS)on 0719640688 or

086 1728442 or emailinfo@nots.ie or

check out www.nots.iefor further details

There are a limited numberof free places for

the unemployed onspecific courses

(certain conditions apply)

National Organic Training Skillnet isfunded by member companies and the

Training Networks Programme an initiativeof Skillnets Ltd from the National TrainingFund through the Department of Education

& Skills

6 Issue 34 Spring 2011 Organic Producer Organic Producer Spring 2011 Issue 34 7

8 Issue 34 Spring 2011 Organic Producer Organic Producer Spring 2011 Issue 34 5

Moiled Cattle UpdateThe November organic sale inDrumshanbo featured a number oforganic moiled cattle. This wasorganised in order to showcase thebreed to organic farmers and alsoto facilitate those who had moiledcattle for sale. In addition ameeting of moiled breeders fromaround the country took place andmany issues of concern werediscussed. The following wereidentified as being critical to thesurvival of the breed

available

finished cattle

traits

through the country

and its members

It is hoped to organise some eventsin the 2011 calendar possibly on1/2 sales and also a field eveningon a breeders farm.

In addition Leitrim Organicfarmers Coop has applied to theArthur Guinness Fund seekingsupport for a rare breed’s trustwhich would support all rarebreeds including the Moiled.

Adjudication on this will takeplace in January and applicantswill be notified if they will go ontothe second stage of the applicationprocess.

A list of prices from theNovember sale is outlined below:

calf - €1,500

€1,400

Self contained units available.Suitable for start-upor small businesses.

Very keen rates.Contact Liam at theEnterprise Centre,

Mohill, Co Leitrim.e: info@mct.iet: 071 9632024

UNITSFOR RENT

Organic feedfor Sale

DRUMSHANBOMART

The first Organic Sale for2011 will take place on

Saturday March 19th

in Drumshanbo.

Transport can be arrangedthrough the Mart Office.

Contact Eoin Kane at071 9641116.

As usual, all stock should bebooked in with IOFGA in

advance at043 334 2495

Organic growers welcomeretention of grantsOrganic farmers havewelcomed the Governmentdecision to retain both theOrganic Farming Schemeand the Organic Grant AidScheme for next year.The Irish Organic Farmers andGrowers' Association (IOFGA)said the maintenance of theschemes reinforced theGovernment's commitment tothe sector."The number of organicproducers continues to increasesteadily here in Ireland.However, it is still not on parwith the volume of organic

food consumed here," saidIOFGA development officerGrace Maher."Sales of organic food continueto grow even in these difficulttimes. To date, in the lastquarter of 2010, sales are upconsiderably on the sameperiod last year."Ms Maher pointed out thatorganic food consumerswanted produce that wasgrown locally and insisted thatthis offered a genuine marketfor Irish farmers and growers."It is essential that theGovernment continues to

support the development of theorganic sector so that moreorganic food [that is]consumed in Ireland isproduced in Ireland," MsMaher said."We need to reduce ourdependence on importedorganic food. There is a strongmarket for Irish organic foodboth here in Ireland andabroad. Farmers need to takeup the challenge to produce forthis growing market."

IOFGA

Organic Whole Oats €340/tonneOrganic Wheat Rolled €395 /tonne17% Unistock Ration €395/tonne

18% Dairy Nuts €400/tonne

Above prices inlarge bags collected.Further discounts for

bulk purchases.

ContactPat Lalor

at 087 2557679

10 Issue 34 Spring 2011 Organic Producer Organic Producer Spring 2011 Issue 34 3

“If it comes to organic gardening TheOrganic Centre offers an unrivaledrange of courses to support you inyour growing endeavours and pro-vide you with the necessary skills andinformation.” says training managerHans Wieland, who has organisedweekend courses for more than 10years. “We pride ourselves in havingsome of the best lecturers in thecountry and fantastic facilities and ouronline shop can supply seeds, books,tools and garden sundries”.

The best course to learn how tosuccessfully grow your ownvegetables is The CompleteOrganic Garden Course 2011 withIngrid Foley and Organic Centre staff,starting on 12th February 2011.

From February to June participantswill be working and learning in theirown garden plot and sharing space ina polytunnel growing a range ofvegetables and basic kitchen herbs.Expertly guided by Ingrid Foley theywill also benefit from seeing theSpring/Summer season unfold in theOrganic Centre gardens. New thisyear will be a short session onpreserving in June. Book early!

February 12th Saturday Day 1:Introduction to the centre, tour of thegardens, crop planning, rotation,ground preparation, lazy beds,demonstration of tools.

March 12th Saturday Day 2: Soils,soil fertility management, greenmanures, composting, sowing in thepolytunnel and outside garden.

April 9thth Saturday Day 3: Growingin polytunnels (site selection,erection, crops and rotation), bed

preparations andsowings inoutside coursegarden.

May 7th

Saturday Day 4:Pest and disease control, prickingout, planting, sowing in garden andpolytunnel.

June 25th Saturday Day 5: Weedmanagement, new: includes shortpreserving session.

1 day €79, 5 days €325. (Note: eachday can be booked individually)

An introduction to the world oftrees and woodlands with StevenMeyen from Teagasc (the Irish Agri-culture and Food Development Au-thority) in Donegal on Sunday 20th

February is another one of our es-tablished courses for anyone attempt-ing to plant trees. Steven will helpyou choose the right ones and at theend of this course you will be able torecognise, plant and care for many ofour local trees, you will know how toencourage more wildlife into yourwoodland and what to do when plan-ning a woodland. Grants may evenbe available to help you on your way!This is a hands-on course and mostof the day will be spent out in thehealthy Leitrim air. Bring your rain-coat, wellingtons and gloves – just incase. (Supported by Teagasc andcosting only €40).

Saturday February 19th sees Den-nis Hawke back with his popularcourse: Organic Gardening for be-ginners –Grow your own food

Growing your own food has seen arevival in recent years and Dennis will

equip you with all the informationnecessary to grow a wide range ofhighly nutritious organic vegetables athome. The day includes planningyour garden, ground preparation, ro-tation, soil fertility management andcomposting. Dennis will explain spe-cific requirements for common gar-den vegetables. Practical sessions onground preparation, sowing and prop-agation will be given and participantstake handouts and a seed tray hometo get started. Participants will greatlybenefit from the various establishedkitchen and training gardens at thecentre and the vast knowledge of anexpert lecturer. Fee €79.

If you want to do something foryourself and shape up for thegardening work to come...

Detox and Rejuvenate your Bodyinside and out with Gaby Wielandon February 19th Saturday is a goodway to start.

Gaby will give you guidance andadvice to help you choose from thepossibility of a one day detox toseveral days or juice fasting. Gabywill talk you through timetables andwill give recipes and demonstrationson how to prepare your detox food.Recipes will include living foods toput tone back into skin and muscles.Learn from Gaby’s many years ofexperience as a Naturopath andnutritional adviser. Fee €79. Continued overleaf

Course Bulletin February 2011

New Year – New Life – New Ideas – New Skills

‘We used to have six seasons, now wecan barely recognise four’, say manyfarmers in Bangladesh. Talk to anyperson working in the developmentsector here and the same sentimentsare expressed through the language ofClimate Change. In Ireland, despitethe flooding of last autumn, theextreme cold of last winter; it seems asthough that glimpse of what liesahead for us has been quicklyforgotten. But for the farmers, poorpopulation, development workersand government of Bangladesh,forgetting about climate change seemsneither possible nor acceptable.

In many ways, saying that Bangladeshhas always had bad luck in relation tonatural disasters is pretty accurate.Given that most of the country is flat,lying only 10metres above sea level,that it is home to the largest river deltain the world, that it lies at the mostnortherly point of the cone-shapedBay of Bengal and that it has a tropicalclimate which brings long periods ofdrought and heavy monsoons; it is nosurprise that Bangladesh is prone toextensive flooding, powerful tidalsurges, cyclonic storms and seasonalhunger. For most Bangladeshis,however; this is simply the way it hasalways been and they are now betterat managing their climate for theirown benefit and reducing the impactsof disasters to some extent.

Unfortunately, experts predict thatClimate Change is going to make thissituation much much worse. Inparticular they estimate that anincrease in temperatures of 0.5degressby 2030 would see a rise in sea level of15-62cm. They also predict the onset ofmore frequent and more intenseextreme weather events coupled withthe melting of the Himalayan glaciers.Apart from the deaths caused by thesea level rise and cyclones, experts

predict that 6milion coastalinhabitants will see their homesdisappear. Crop farmers, theproducers of rice for some 140millionBangladeshis fear salinity intrusion asfar inland as 70kilometres in the mainpaddy-growing area in the SouthWest. Livestock farmers fear the lossof even further land to salt dependentshrimp farming as a by-product ofsalinity increases. Human Rightsactivists fear for the impact whichfurther disasters can have on thenumbers going back into poverty, anincrease in gender-related rightsviolations and the political instabilitywhich all of this can cause.

Bangladeshis, however, believing thatthese impacts are already being felt, isworking towards adaptation. Farmersare receiving training on the use ofraised vegetable gardens. Researchinstitutes have produced strains ofrice which are saline resistant and cansurvive in higher than level waterlevels. The government is ensuring thebuilding of multi-purpose cycloneshelters and the dredging of thecountry's hundreds of rivers.Admirable though they may be, thetruth is that these efforts are almostinsignificant when compared to whatis actually required for large scaleadaptation and dealing with the issueof migration.

Overall, it is clear that industrialisedstates have been unwilling to changenational policies to reduce CO2 andrefuse to provide developingcountries like Bangladesh with thenecessary resources (financial,technical and human) to adapt tochanges caused by climate change. Iftaking these actions was only a matterof protecting ourselves or providingcharity, then at least it would be for usto decide what to do. But it is nowclear that those least responsible forClimate Change are those mostvulnerable to its impacts in theimmediate term. It is simply no longera matter of choice: if we are to avertinjustices on a scale comparable tothose of the colonial era, then actionmust be taken immediately. If we failto do this, we will certainly suffer theconsequences ourselves but, perhapsmore unjustly, those who have hadnothing to do with this will suffereven more.

Michael McManus has just returned fromBangladesh where he spent one yearworking with a local Human Rightsorganization as a Voluntary ServicesOverseas volunteer. He is holding aphotography exhibition in the Dock ArtsCentre, Carrick on Shannon entitled'Bangladesh - Contradictions and Hope'from February 19th to March 5th.

Climate Change in Bangladesh