Minister Creed launches Agri Aware’s Farm Walk and Talk series for second levels students
The aim of Agri Aware’s Farm Walk and Talk series is to demonstrate the practical elements of modern agriculture to second-level students preparing for their Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science exam. This event series is timely as we see major updates to the Agricultural Science course at second level for the first time in over 40 years. This new syllabus will be rolled out at 5th year level from September 2019. Agri Aware engaged extensively with stakeholders including Agri Aware’s patrons over several years to ensure the new specification was reflective and relevant of today’s agri food industry.
Speaking at this year’s launch( Thursday 28th February) Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D said: “I am delighted to launch this year’s Agri Aware Farm Walk and Talk series. Society in general is becoming increasingly detached to the source of their food making the role of Agri Aware even more important today, and into the future. It is only through understanding the origin of food that people will value the role of farmers and the importance of this sector to Ireland. It is of particular importance that initiatives like this are run to communicate with a younger audience many of whom are looking to their future, and will indeed be sectoral leaders in years to come. I wish Agri Aware every success with the initiative.” Agri Aware Chairman Alan Jagoe added, “Agriculture is hands-on and events like Agri Aware’s Farm Walk and Talk provide thousands of students with an insight into the practicalities of farming and the hard work that farmers do each day. We need the educated students of today to become future industry leaders, to build on our exports of over €13.6 billion and to continue to build on our reputation as world class food producers.This is why initiatives such as Farm Walk and Talk are of such paramount importance – allowing students to experience the various farming techniques that they read so much about and giving them an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a working farm, covering topics from soils and fertilisers to silage making and livestock. The event is particularly beneficial for students who don’t come from a farming background”. Kicking off on Monday the 4th of March the series will be held over 10 days and venues include Teagasc colleges and research centres across the country and UCD’s Lyon’s Estate. The model is unique in that it allows students to experience first-hand the work of industry experts and leading academics in a practical environment. From beef genetics to live lambing the students will experience the reality of the subject that they are taught each day in the classroom. Agri Aware Executive Director, Deirdre O’Shea added, “Agri Aware’s are delighted to be running the Farm Walk and Talk initiative for what will be its 11th year. Its longevity is testament to the role of the initiative in educating our future industry leaders, many of whom may have never visited a farm previously. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain an insight into the hands-on experience of a working farm while also getting the opportunity to engage with key industry stakeholders. Agri Aware wouldn’t be able to facilitate these events without the help of Teagasc, UCD, IASTA, Farmers Journal and our patrons from the agri-food industry.” For more information on the initiative including venue details and dates please visit www.agriaware.ie
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Minister of State for Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne T.D launches Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles Healthy Eating initiative.
Government is working on ways to help people and communities to improve their health; giving them the knowledge and skills to make healthier choices. The 'Incredible Edibles' programme builds on this objective and is a great way of nurturing a child's interest in what they eat and what it means to have a healthy, balanced diet. This will help to lay the foundations for them to adopt healthy behaviours and habits which will last a lifetime”.
The initiative is supported by the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Health and Children, through the Healthy Ireland framework, the Department of Agriculture, Bord Bia and the horticulture industry. Registration is now open for the 2019 Incredible Edibles’ project visit www.incredibleedibles.ie to register today!
"I very much look forward to working with Alan, as the new Chairman of Agri Aware, in continuing to communicate the important role of Irish farmers, and the agri-food industry, in delivering quality, safe, and sustainably produced, traceable food that is affordable for consumers, whilst caring for our environment. I wish Alan well in his new role”. The incoming Chairman of Agri Aware Alan Jagoe said “My goal as Chairman of Agri Aware is to continue the work of communicating the vital links between agriculture, food and our economy. Increasing awareness of the relationship between our standard of excellence in farming, and the payoff in terms of excellence in the food we eat and export, while maintaining the unique green image we have here in Ireland. I also recognise the importance of educating the general public from a young age in the role farming plays in all our daily lives, and with the input of a strong board, along with the expertise of our Executive Director Deirdre O’Shea, and the team in the office, I expect Agri Aware to grow in its capacity to deliver our core values”.
I want to thank the Board for their support in my role as Chairman, and the staff in Agri Aware for all their hard work. To our Executive Director, Deirdre O’Shea many thanks for your dedication and hard work for the organisation, as well as your support of me as Chairman. To the new Chairman, Alan Jagoe, I want to wish him every success over the next four years, and I have no doubt that under his stewardship Agri Aware will continue to grow and prosper”.
Charles Smith and Teddy Cashman elected to Agri Aware board Agri Aware, the independent Irish agri-food educational body, is delighted to welcome Teddy Cashman and Charles Smith to its board of directors.
Teddy a dairy farmer hailing from County Cork joins the board on behalf of IFAC. Teddy has been involved in the sector for many years, serving as current Chairman of the National Dairy Council, a board member of IFAC accountants and he also served as former Liquid Milk Chairman with the Irish Farmers Association.
Commenting on his appointment to the board, Teddy said, “I am delighted to join the board of Agri Aware, the work of organisation has never been more important, as the most essential ingredient in the food chain is "trust" and helping consumers understand where their food comes from, and how it is produced will help build confidence.” “The many initiatives of Agri Aware help bridge the disconnect between consumers and modern agricultural practices,” he continued, “young people are the future and concentrating on them will contribute to a greater understanding of the agri-food sector by society as a whole.” Teddy begins his term of office alongside Charles Smith, representing Kepak/ABP. Charles has worked for over 23 years with the Irish Angus Producer Group, the largest beef producer group in the country. Charles a dairy and beef farmer from Cavan/Meath border, also runs a successful free-range poultry business with his brother John. Commenting on his appointment Charles said “I am delighted that the patrons of Agri Aware have entrusted me to the Board of Directors and I look forward to being involved with the organisation which provides progressive innovative programmes to communicate with the public. Through my work with Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools competition over the past several years I have seen first-hand the passion for agriculture that exists within young people from agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds and I know this experience will hold me in good steed for the role ahead” Welcoming the new members to the board, Agri Aware Executive Director Deirdre O’Shea said the individuals bring a wealth of experience which will further strengthen the work of the organisation. “Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank all patron members and candidates for their participation in Agri Aware’s recent patron election. I would like to congratulate Charles Smith (ABP and Kepak) and Teddy Cashman (IFAC) on their election as the new patron elected members following a keenly fought election. I look forward to working with the two new representatives who will be instrumental in helping us to promote the image and understanding of agriculture and the agri-food industry across Ireland. I also want to acknowledge the two outgoing representatives, Dr Edmond Harty (Dairymaster) and Mr Tom Cunniffe (Aurivo Co-op) for their commitment to Agri Aware over the past number of years.” Ms. O’Shea said she was looking forward to a fresh outlook from the new members in advancing Agri Aware’s programmes. Agri Aware have joined forces with UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science for this year’s Ploughing Championships and together they are serving up a veritable feast for the senses over the 3 day event! There will be a packed “Shed-ule” of activities for visitors to enjoy including a selfie booth, milk races, cookery demos, experiments, panel discussions and much more. Special guests at the Big Red Shed include comedy duo the 2 Johnnies, celebrity Chef Edward Hayden and many more! Agri Aware’s presence at the Ploughing Championships is part of their yearlong CAP communication campaign “Many hats, one CAP” to help educate people young and old from the city and the country about the benefits of CAP policy through innovative communication tools and to celebrate they’ll be giving out Agri Aware bobble hats to thousands of lucky ploughing attendees! You can visit the big red shed located at Block 3, Row 12, stand no. 266  Pictured are the 2 Johnnies and Agri Aware Executive Director, Deirdre O’Shea at Agri Aware’s Big Red Shed at Electric Picnic, the shed is back for it’s second year at the National Ploughing Championships from 18th-20th September with a packed “shed-ule”! You can visit the exhibit at Block 3, Row 12, stand no. 266
Almost 1,300 schools across Ireland participated in the 2018 Incredible Edibles programme. The winners received a visit from Agri Aware’s Mobile Farm, as well as appearances from famous Irish dietitian Aoife Hearne of Operation Transformation, and several industry figures.
“Putting fresh produce, be it fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates such as potatoes and herbs at the centre of your diet is the key to optimum health and well-being. We are now recommended to eat 5-to-7 portions of fruit and vegetables every day, however the national average consumption remains half of that (3.5). Therefore, reconnecting children with where their food comes from has never been more important. Research tells us that school gardening programmes greatly influence healthy food choices amongst children and results in a greater understanding of healthy eating. It is therefore great to see growing programmes like Incredible Edibles, encouraging children of all ages to get busy in the garden and grow a colourful array of fresh produce in an effort to achieve this 7-a-day target.” Aoife Hearne, Dietitian Wednesday’s ceremony marked the end of a successful 2018 programme. Agri Aware will prepare to launch the 2019 Incredible Edibles project in the upcoming weeks. For more information and to register, please visit our Incredible Edibles website www.incredibleedibles.ie.  Pictured are some students from 4th class of the winning 2018 Incredible Edibles project along with (L-R) teacher Jarlath Conboy, Agri Aware Executive Director, Deirdre O’Shea, Lorcan Burke of Bord Bia and famous dietitian Aoife Hearne.
Brian O’Toole, beekeeper with Leinster Honey speaking to visitors about all things bees; Pat O’Neill of O’Neill’s Dry Cure Bacon for cookery demonstrations and famed butter maker Breda McDonald who taught visitors the art of traditional butter making.
Agri Aware’s red shed at Tullamore Show is part of a significant campaign entitled ‘Many hats, one CAP’ being delivered by Agri Aware, the independent Irish agri-food educational body. The campaign co-financed by the European Commission aims to communicate the many benefits of the CAP to the general public and farmers, across Ireland. The message to this audience is clear, that CAP delivers a secure supply of safe, quality and traceable food that is affordable for consumers. In addition to producing this food under the highest standards, CAP also ensures sustainable management of our natural resources, our waterways, promotes biodiversity and aids in the development of our rural areas. Chairman of Agri Aware, Richard Moeran said: “Agri Aware was once again delighted to be part of the Tullamore Show, one of Ireland’s largest agri-food trade shows. Being Ireland’s independent agri-food educational body, attending shows like this is very important as it provides us with a golden opportunity to come face-to-face with the farming community and the general public to communicate the key messages of our campaign in a simple and clear manner”. Speaking at the launch Chef Edward Hayden said: “I am thrilled to be back with Agri Aware at Tullamore Show this year. Coming from a rural background and as a rural entrepreneur I see first-hand the role of CAP in everyday life. Farming is the lifeblood of our land and our people and exhibits like this are key in communicating the multi-faceted role the policy plays in our lives.”
From cookery demos and butter discos to bee-keeping workshops and milk races, there will be something for all the family to enjoy. Celebrity Chef Edward Hayden will be MC on the day and will be joined by a host of experts on the “farm stage” throughout the event. The Agri Aware Mobile Farm will also be in attendance allowing visitors to meet a host of farm animals. Agri Aware’s red shed at Tullamore Show is part of a significant campaign entitled ‘Many hats, one CAP’ being delivered by Agri Aware, the independent Irish agri-food educational body. The campaign co-financed by the European Commission aims to communicate the many benefits of the CAP to the general public and farmers, across Ireland. The message to this audience is clear, that CAP delivers a secure supply of safe, quality and traceable food that is affordable for consumers. In addition to producing this food under the highest standards, CAP also ensures sustainable management of our natural resources, our waterways, promotes biodiversity and aids in the development of our rural areas. Activities will kick off at 10.00am on Sunday 12th August at the Big Red Shed stand number 4A What: Agri Aware’s Big Red Shed at Tullamore Show 2018 Where: Stand 4A Agri Aware were delighted to present Make-A-Wish Ireland charity partner for this year’s Open Farm Day with a donation of €5,065 to help grant wishes this year. The funds were raised across our four host farms hosted in Wicklow (Tom & Geraldine Short), Mayo (Padraic & Breege Joyce), Cork (John & Ann Coughlan) & Dublin (Padraic & Bríd McMahon). Thank you to all those who donated to find out more about Make-A-Wish visit: www.makeawish.ie  Pictured presenting Make-A-Wish Ireland with the funds raised at Agri Aware’s inaugural Open Farm events were (L-R) Deirdre O’Shea, Executive Director, Agri Aware; Charlene Dacheaux, Agri Aware and Rachel O’Keeffe, Community Fundraiser, Make-A-Wish Ireland
 Agri Aware today launched it's #FacesofFarmSafety competition. The competition aims to get as many people as possible to share their farm safety advice and to celebrate their good practices in order to promote Farm Safety to millions of social media users across Ireland.
The aims of this competition are aligned with the themes of this year's National Farm Safety Week 2018 which kicked off today (Monday 16th July). Agri Aware is asking members of the general public to celebrate when things go right and share their good practices with others. People can do this by submitting their ten-second video clip, or alternatively a photo and accompanying message to Agri Aware's social media channels throughout Farm Safety Week using the hashtag "#FacesofFarmSafety". Many famous faces have lended their time to the campaign and these messages will be released throughout the week across Agri Aware's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. One lucky winner will win two tickets to the All Ireland hurling final in Croke Park. The competition will close this Sunday 22nd July with a winner being announced on Monday 23rd of July. Agri Aware the agri-food educational body has a number of resources focusing on farm safety including the “Once Upon a Farm” farm safety awareness video. For more information visit www.agriaware.ie |
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March 2019
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