First GIY Ireland Conference Announced
GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland – taking the ‘self’ out of ‘self-sufficiency’
A new national not-for-profit organisation called GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland, which is trying to inspire people to grow their own food and give them the skills they need to do so successfully, is being launched on September 12 at the Waterford Harvest Festival.
The organisation, established by journalist and author Michael Kelly, aims to establish local food growers groups in every town in Ireland . Hundreds of people are already involved in existing GIY groups (GIY Waterford for example has over 100 members that meet each month in the city library) where activities include monthly meetings, talks and demos, garden visits, seed and plant swaps, produce bartering, mentor panels and grower’s meitheals. GIY meetings are free and open to people interested in food growing at all levels, i.e. from growing a few herbs on the balcony to complete self-sufficiency, from beginners to old hands.
“Growing your own food can be an isolating experience particularly when you are a novice and you don’t know where to start,” says Kelly. “A GIY group is about creating a grower’s community so that people can come together in their locality to learn from each other and exchange tips, knowledge, produce and war-stories! GIY Ireland is looking for local champions who are interested in setting up a GIY group in their area and we will give them all the help they need to get a sustainable, successful group up and running.”
Speakers at the GIY Ireland launch which takes place in Waterford Institute of Technology on Saturday September 12 will include Joy Larkcom, Trevor Sargent, Darina Allen, Michael Kelly and Will Sutherland. There will also be a demonstration on cooking with sustainable fish by Fresh From the Sea author Clodagh McKenna and talks on allotments, community gardens, nutrition, seed-saving and permaculture. Tickets which cost €35 include a seasonal dinner and are available to buy from www.GIYIreland.com
Other events at the Waterford Harvest Festival include a ‘Harvest Feast’ in the city on the Saturday evening and a farmer’s market in the city centre on Sunday 13, September. GIY Ireland is supported by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland.
Ciarán