Open invitation from Gurteen to farmers to discuss the future

AN important conference is taking place in Gurteen College next weekend which will bring farmers together to discuss the future.
On Saturday 20th September Gurteen will be hosting “Harvesting Hope - a future for sustainable agriculture?”
“The idea,” said Michael Hanna, one of the organisers of the event, “is to bring farmers together to share their hopes and fears about the future of a warming and more crowded world with all its challenges to biodiversity and the health of our land and water systems.”
Attending the conference will be organic farmers, traditional farmers and young students, all sharing their views on the future of agriculture at a local level.
The conference is being organised under the auspices of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe but is open to all. The only 'religious' dimension to the day will be a short service of harvest thanksgiving at the end, when the address will be given by John Feehan, who has written extensively and knowledgeably about agriculture, biodiversity and theology.
“There is no question now,” continued Michael, who is also Secretary of the United Diocesan Council for Mission, “but that we are living in a warming world and that we are largely responsible. The longer we turn away from the problem, the worse it will get. We in the Church of Ireland United Diocesan Council for Mission have been asking ourselves how can we contribute in a small way to a vision of a world where we live sustainably with nature. For our sprawling diocese, dominated by agricultural land, much good, some not so good, we think a good place to start is agriculture.”
With this in mind, this weekend's conference is aimed at practising farmers on the subject of sustainable agriculture.
Michael said the conference is an ecumenical venture “with the Methodist Church in the context of our shared Covenant. After the discussion sessions are finished we will have a shared harvest service in Gurteen for our participants. John Feehan, noted naturalist, scientist and theologian, who has written the definitive history of Irish Agriculture, will give the address.”
The conference begins at 10 in the morning when everyone assembles in Gurteen for tea, coffee and registration. The morning session will be chaired by Jim Dwyer, a practicing dairy farmer and chairman of the Board of Governors of Gurteen. Jim will be joined by a panel that will include organic farmers Ken Gill of Edenderry and Kim McCall of Kildare.
Also joining will be staff and students of the B.Sc.degree course in Agricultural Science and Sustainablity which Gurteen run with the Technological University of the Shannon at Athlone. These students will share their hopes for a future in agriculture.
“We hope to hear all views in an atmosphere of genuine inquiry,” remarked Michael.
After breaking for lunch (12.30 – 2.00), the afternoon session will address farming welfare and succession and will be chaired by Mrs Gillian Kingston.
One of the panellists will be George Graham who will speak on farm safety, general health and mental wellbeing.
Also present will be Embrace FARM, an organisation that supports farmers affected by suicide and bereavement.
Anne Marie Doheny, a staff member at Gurteen, will speak on succession and if necessary, arrange a follow up session with solicitors present on a future occasion.
At the end of this session, approximately 3.30pm, there will be a short ecumenical harvest service of worship and praise to end the day.
The cost for the day will be 20 euro per person, including lunch, payable on the day, and most of this sum will be donated to the work of Embrace FARM. You can book directly by contacting Michael Hanna at Michael.hanna4@gmail.com. Tel or text: 087-8326113.
Itinerary:
Arrival/Registration: 10.00 – 10.30 – Tea / Coffee.
Morning Session: 10.30 – 12.30
Focuses on sustainable agriculture Chaired by Mr. Jim Dwyer (dairy farmer). Speakers: Mr Ken Gill (organic farmer); Mr Kim McCall (mixed livestock – organic); Staff and students of the 4 year B.Sc. in Agricultural Science and Sustainability (linked to the TUS).
Lunch: 12.45 – 2.00 – supplied by Gurteen College.
Afternoon Session: 2.00 – 3.20:
Focuses on farming family issues. Chaired by Mrs. Gillian Kingston. Speakers: Succession Issues with Ms. Anne Marie Doheny; Mental Wellbeing, a representative from the Embrace FARM organisation, and Mr. George Graham.
Final Session: 3.25 – 4.00
A Celebration of Harvest Thanksgiving. Speaker: Dr. John Feehan (Environmental Scientist and Author).

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