Page 66 - SV 3 2024

We held our spring seminar in Ireland on Saturday March 2nd, Moore Hall, South Roscommon with members travelling from all counties of Ireland including Kerry, Clare, Galway, Fermanagh, Dublin, Wexford and nearly every county in between. Our group has increased over the last year, and it was a great privilege to welcome everyone to the seminar.
We are most thankful to everyone who arrived with plants and seeds for our plant sale area and prizes for our raffle.
We had several presentations during
the day covering the activities of our society included membership benefits, promotion and advisement of our society member shows, growing potatoes for the kitchen and growing for ISA all Ireland championships. During the afternoon we officially launched our inaugural NVS Irish Championships which will be held in Moate Show on 25th August and circulated the schedule and seed to all members for the 2024 Chairman challenge - QTY 3 Kohl Rabi (Korist F1). The seed was very kindly sponsored by Unwin’s. Kieran O’Keefe kindly gave us a presentation on how to grow stump carrots and I gave a talk on growing tomatoes, both vegetable crops were added as new classes to the 2024 schedule.
There was plenty of time for refreshments throughout the afternoon and we wish to thank our catering team Kathleen Higgins, Rose Egan, Elizabeth Ross and Treasa Egan for their help on
the day. During the break, members had an opportunity to meet and greet. We had organised a plant sale area which was very popular. We also had a table for members to place any merchandise orders, including branded polo shirts. Sean and Noel were on hand to collect membership and 200 club tickets. A special word of thanks to Reggie Mitchell and our junior members Erica and Evanna Tully, who took the lead in selling raffle tickets and plants.
Evanna Tully – Seed Potatoes sales
Attendance at talks
Irish Spring Seminar 2024
RAYMOND HIGGINS FNVS
After the interval, we had a series of focused presentations on improving soil health and compost. John Harford gave a presentation on how to make leaf mould and homemade garden compost. He also showed us his trials and experiments
on seed germination. Kevin Ward gave
us an insight into fermented food waste and the benefits he has found in growing vegetables at the TUS university in Athlone. Lalith and John have a presentation on
De Brún Isac Teo organic marine soil conditioner made from the shells of crabs. We are very thankful to De Brún Isac Teo who kindly provided a free sample to everyone who attended to trial over the coming season.
Before the end of the event, we held our first 200 club draw of 2024 and then a raffle for prizes donated by members. I think no
one went home empty handed! It’s really important to provide opportunities for our members to meet in person for the chat, cuppa and share tips for the new growing season. Many thanks to all our speakers. All members enjoyed the day, and we were delighted to receive lovely feedback a sample of which is follows:
“Another fabulous day. Fantastic talks and much learnt! Wonderful company, fabulous refreshments and craic ! Thank you to all”. Zara Evans, Co. Leitrim
“Great Event, its turning out to be a not to be missed meeting, well done to the committee”. John Harford, Co. Dublin.
“It was absolutely wonderful to meet so many passionate growers. Thank you all very much for the warm welcome”. John and Aiste Brown, Co. Kerry.
“What a wonderful day it was, I have gained so much knowledge on growing and made so many new friends, very well done to all who organised this fabulous event, many thanks, Slainte”. Noel Cavanagh, Co. Dublin
Plant sales
66 Simply Vegetables
De Brún Isac Teo organic marine soil conditioner