More from @IrelandsFarmers

IrelandsFarmers

@IrelandsFarmers

7 Dec

@tippfood

While all of these great events were being done by @tippfood, behind the scenes there was plenty afoot also. In general, the system became one where we held 10 meetings per year; five executive, and five members meetings.

One of the really important discussions each year was to decide what to do the following year, and then make a plan to allow that to happen. We also had some longer term plans in our annual activity list, one of which was to publish a book, which I will get to later.

Without an activity plan, there was always a big risk of the network being pulled off track by a non-core project that, while it might look appealing, would drain energy from the members, and time from our agreed core activities.

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IrelandsFarmers

@IrelandsFarmers

7 Dec

@rednosewine

Slight personal diversion. I am in Clonmel this morning for a van DOE (road worthiness test). Using the time to pop over to @rednosewine for a few bottles of Port for Christmas. The walk takes me past this mural by Robert Ballagh.

@clonmeljunction

I used to pass this as a young child 40 years ago in a corridor in the town centre, leading to a supermarket, long since closed. Great to see the artwork was preserved and reinstalled last year as part of @clonmeljunction; our local arts festival.

@clonmelapplefe1

Speaking of arts festivals in Clonmel and area, we also have @clonmelapplefe1 which runs each autumn, and as an apple grower myself, it is great to see apples and nature and food celebrated by our arts community.

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IrelandsFarmers

@IrelandsFarmers

7 Dec

@pat_whelan

Our founding Chair, @pat_whelan says the idea of the network came about thanks to a @slowfood long table dinner at our farm in 2007. While I was enjoying the dinner, others were taking note of the number of local food producers, and thinking of the value of working together.

In 2008, we built a website of producers (14 at the beginning), and had a launch event in Cahir Castle, this time organised by ourselves. The purpose was to highlight that these 14 small businesses were employing 180 people, and spending €15 million in the local economy annually

@Pat_Whelan

The first Network meeting was held in 2009 at the Cashel Palace Hotel, with @Pat_Whelan as Chairman. Projects were embarked upon, both public-facing and for members of the network, and right from the start we were backed by @LEOTipperary and Mairead English Maher.

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IrelandsFarmers

@IrelandsFarmers

7 Dec

@tippfood

Good morning everyone. This week members of @tippfood; a network of farmers and food producers in county Tipperary will be hosting this account.
We will tell you about our businesses, but also about the network, and how it developed over the past 12+ years.

@theapplefarmer

Today the account will be operated by @theapplefarmer, and during the week by Kylie from @MagnersFarm, Mairín from @Inchhouse, Aoife from @GalteeHoney, Peter from @AyleFarm and Maire of @hennessy_maire who assists with the running of the network.