Gurteen conference will examine improving soil quality for strong crop production
‘it will explore the practical experience of farmers and farm families in the context of a faith-based approach to farm husbandry’
ANOTHER important conference will be taking place in Gurteen College, Ballingarry, next week, during which it will be looking at ways of improving soil quality on your farm to produce a good crop production.
“Harvesting Hope 2: Celebrating the Soil's Bounty” is a one day conference taking place in the College on Saturday, 19th September.
The day will begin with registration at 10am and it will explore the practical experience of farmers and farm families in the context of a faith-based approach to farm husbandry and responsible stewardship of the land.
The day is divided into a morning and afternoon session, ending with a short ecumenical service of harvest thanksgiving.
The morning session under the chairmanship of Angus Woods will focus on the role of the soil biome in the farming of livestock and horticulture. The soil biome represents nature's underground operating system. It is densely concentrated in the rhizosphere (the narrow zone of soil directly influenced by root secretions) and the topsoil. It functions much like a gut biome does for humans, acting as a living network that turns inert dirt into a vibrant, reactive habitat. The soil biome is essential in farming because it drives nutrient cycling, builds strong soil structure, and protects crops from disease.
Key highlights of the conference will include:
The Burrenbeo Trust and Farming for Nature: Presentations from Brendan Dunford, Bruce Thompson and Maurice Deasy will discuss the various ways in which a healthy, well structured, living soil, including the use of trees and heritage grains, can sustain animal and crop production in adverse conditions.
Presentations by Gurteen College students of the Sustainability in Agriculture degree programme with TUS will bring a perspective from the coming generation of farmers on the huge problems they must face in the years to come.
Following lunch (12.30 – 2.00), the afternoon programme will commence at 2:00 PM under the chairmanship of Pippa Hackett. This session will focus on the issues experienced by farming families in an increasingly technological world where the dynamics of rural living and farm ownership are changing in response to all kinds of pressures. Key highlights will include:
A Presentation by Orlagh Gaynor of Irish Doctors for the Environment on a health professional’s perspective of the significance of planetary health to human health.
Presentations by the Silver Arch Family Resource Centre and the Alone charity will discuss how rural isolation at family and individual level can be addressed with targeted interventions and community networks.
The day will conclude at 3:40 PM with a short ecumenical Harvest Thanksgiving Service which will bring the participants together to reflect on their environmental stewardship responsibilities in a spirit of hopefulness and thanksgiving while, more than ever, after this year’s extraordinary summer, aware of the profound challenges that lie ahead and around them The address will be delivered by lay preacher Rachel Cox, Agricultural Chaplain of the Dioceses of Kilmore, Elphin, and Ardagh.
The conference costs €25.00 (cash please) which includes admission to all sessions and a full lunch provided by the College. Because space at the venue is restricted, and a full lunch provided, advanced reservation is required. Call Michael Hanna at +353 87 8326113 or email [email protected] to reserve a place, if possible please, on or before Tuesday 15th September.