HortiTrends.com - Organics

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15 October 2015

All Ireland & UK Mushroom Conference

“Harnessing Innovation” Conference Programme
On Thursday the 15th of October 2015, the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, Republic of Ireland will once again become the venue for the All Ireland and UK Mushroom Conference & Trade Show. This year’s conference sponsored by Bord Bia will welcome mushroom growers from right across Ireland and the UK.

11 September 2015

Making Green Organic Fertiliser From Bones

Renetech is a partner of EU FP7 project REFERTIL, aiming at reducing mineral fertilisers and chemicals use in agriculture by recycling treated organic waste as compost and bio-char products. EU-funded researchers have developed a zero-mission method of recycling organic phosphorous fertiliser from animal bones. They aim to help farmers cut down on chemicals - saving them money and making food production safer and greener.

03 September 2015

Prepared Fruit & Vegetable Retail Market is Growing

Market research carried out by Kantar Worldpanel on behalf of Bord Bia shows that, while the majority of fresh produce sales are in the non prepared format, the prepared fruit and vegetable category has been a growing segment of the market in recent years.

28 August 2015

September Ideal Time for Soil Sampling

Soil fertility is at the heart of good farming and is critical to the productivity and profitability of both grassland and tillage cropping. Irish farmers’ ability to produce some of the highest yields of grass in the world is due to our soils and our climate. The same is true for grain production that Irish farmers can exploit the high yield potential of modern varieties developed by plant breeders.

19 August 2015

Organic Variety Trials – MSc Project

We have been contacted by a student completing his thesis for the MSc who is doing some interesting work on organic varieties, if you can help him out by completing the survey below please do.

14 August 2015

BeGreen Workshop at Sustainable Processing Ireland

The EPA’s BeGreen Programme in conjunction with Green Business is hosting a workshop to inform Irish Business on a number of programmes funded by the National Waste Prevention Programme, which are available to assist business in becoming more resource efficient.

11 August 2015

New Opportunities for Salad Crops

Salad crops with a farm gate value of €26 million are grown every year in Ireland, in a sector which provides employment for more than 500 people. Crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and lettuce are grown for use mainly in salads, and what could taste better or be fresher than local produce. But changes in the eating habits of consumers and other trends may be set to increase the range of opportunities where the crops are used.

31 July 2015

New Manual About Opportunities for Organic Capacity-Building and Cooperation Under CAP

New Manual about Opportunities for Organic Capacity-building and Cooperation under CAP

IOFGA, in partnership with seven organic farming organizations has developed a manual for organic stakeholders for making full use of the new EU Rural Development Policy for the period 2014 – 2020 to stimulate organic cooperation and capacity building.

27 July 2015

Department Announces Details On 50% Grant for Farm Partnerships

The department has announced funding for a new farm partnership scheme. Under the scheme successful applicants will be able to claim 50% of legal,advisory and financial service costs incurred while setting up the partnership.

29 June 2015

Drive Towards Supply Chain Transparency and ‘Free From’ Gathers Pace

At a recent US industry briefing from foodservice market specialists Technomic, reference was made to the fact that “consumers are changing the face of business” and that the Top 3 out-of-home Consumer Drivers are: Natural/Wholesome Foods (76%), Consumer Interest in Food (74%) and Transparency (72%).

24 June 2015

Summer at The Organic Centre with Darina Allen and Neven Maguire

One of the more interesting discoveries I made looking up the word weed in the dictionary or on google search was the descriptive use of adjectives: wild, unwanted, valueless, undesirable, troublesome, uncultivated, menacing, noxious.

07 September 2015

Charleville Show Success

For the last two years our students have been competing at show level with our Organic produce. This in it self is a measure of how good they are at Horticulture and Harvesting. We would like to thank the following for all their hard work and time they spent in making this such a success.

Golden Opportunities for Organic Farmers in the USA – Farming Independent Article by IOFGA

In this week’s Farming Independent you can read about the organic sector in the USA and find out how it continues to grow at a huge rate. Some Irish organic producers are now starting to export into the market as more opportunities arise for them. To read the full article please click here

Source: IOFGA - Golden Opportunities for Organic Farmers in the USA – Farming Independent Article by IOFGA

19 August 2015

Great Taste Awards – IOFGA Winners

The great taste awards were announced recently and IOFGA would like to congratulate members on their awards.

McCabes Coffee – Organic Blend 1 star

Dunnes Oak Smoked Salmon – Carr & Sons Seafood Ltd 1 star

Source: IOFGA - Great Taste Awards – IOFGA Winners

18 August 2015

€5m Funding for Organic Sector Launched – Grants of Up to €500,000 Available

The new Grant Aid Scheme for the development of the organic off-farm processing sector has been opened. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes announced the opening of the new scheme, which is wholly exchequer-funded, runs for the lifetime of the Rural Development Programme and will support investments for off-farm projects.

13 August 2015

Hayes Launches Investment of €5M in New Grant Scheme for the Development of the Organic Processing Sector

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD, recently announced the opening of the new Grant Aid Scheme for the Development of the Organic off-farm Processing Sector with immediate effect.

11 August 2015

Bell Praises Local Food and Drink Companies Recognised in UK Great Taste Awards

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has congratulated the Northern Ireland Food and Drink companies recognised in the 2015 UK Great Taste Awards.

28 July 2015

Exciting New Organic Marketing Campaign! Organics Naturally Good for Business

Exciting New Organic Marketing Campaign targeting the catering industry as shown in the July 2015 edition of Hotel and Catering Review Magazine.

08 July 2015

Smart Labels Make Food Safety Stick

Have you ever stared at packaged meat from your fridge or freezer and wondered if it's still good to eat? Thrown out food because you just weren't sure? Smart labels could help to set your mind at rest. An EU-funded project has developed innovative stickers to do just that.

25 June 2015

Organic Capital Investment Scheme Details Announced

Details have emerged in the past week indicating the investments which will qualify for grant aid under the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS).

23 June 2015

Organic Production Courses – Dates Announced

If you have registered for the Organic Farming Scheme and still have to complete your Organic Production Course please read the details below carefully. We have listed the available options for you, please note if you are on a waiting list for a Teagasc course then you must go online at the address listed below register and pay for your course in order to secure your place.