The Organic Centre

ROSSINVER,
COUNTY LEITRIM,
IRELAND.

TEL: 072-54338.
FAX: 072-54343.
International +353 72 54338/43.
organiccentre@eircom.net

We are proud by association, to be friends of The Organic Centre.

I would like to thank Gearoid Mac Eochaidh for his informative and interesting tour of the Organic Centre on our recent visit there. Gearoid tells me they will have their own website in the future, in the meantime here's some information on a adventurous and worthy cause. For further information e-mail Gearoid at organiccentre@eircom.net or use the La Mohea guest book and I will forward your mail.
Regards,
Colm Corcoran.

The Organic Centre is Ireland's Centre for Training, Information, and Demonstration in Organic Growing and Farming.

The Organic Centre was established in 1996 to meet the growing demand for information on organic gardening,growing and farming. It is set in the unspoiled countryside of North Leitrim and offers a range of training courses and educational opportunities for those interested in gaining knowledge and skills in organic gardening, growing and farming.

The Centre gardens illustrate organic methods of food production and have been open to the public since 1997. An organic food cafe, and shop specialising in organic gardening supplies, is open from 2000.

The Organic Centre is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee. It aims to run a centre that is of value to anyone with interest in organic production - whether an established organic grower, an amateur gardener or a curious consumer - and to ensure that in every way it is a centre of excellence.

The Centre is an independent body with links to national organic organisations in Ireland, with the Henry Doubleday Research Association in the UK, and Stiftung Ökologie & Landbau in Germany.

The Centre is situated on a site of 19 acres with over two acres devoted to display gardens showing:

Kitchen garden showing a wide range of vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers that can be grown organically for the home.
Commercial vegetable production illustrating field scale organic vegetable production.
Polytunnels showing protected cropping on a domestic and commercial scale.
Glasshouse for propagation.
Cut herb production for restaurants and shops.
Garden compost making and green manures.
Children's play area constructed from willows.
Hedge management demonstration showing hedge laying and rejuvenation.
Orchard and soft fruit area.
Free range hens, geese, and ducks of traditional breeds.
Salad garden with edible plants and flowers.
Taste garden to sample our delicious herbs and salads.
Heritage vegetable garden to keep some old favourites alive.

Educational and Training Opportunities:

The Organic Centre offers a year-round programme of courses, covering subjects ranging from Kitchen Gardens, Poultry and Small Livestock, to Willow Sculpture and Green Building. Contact the Centre for their full list of courses and events for this year.

The Centre also offers tours for groups and schools, and runs a full-time Training Scheme in Commercial Organic Horticulture (course runs from February to November).

The Board Members of the Organic Centre are Darina Allen, Rod Alston, Gerry Browne, Alan Gear, Denis Healy, Gearoid NicEochaidh, John McCormick, Dr. Helga Willer, Paul Rankin.

The project has received support from many businesses and organizations, and we are pleased to acknowledge the following among those who have supported the development of the Centre: FÁS, Leitrim County Enterprise Fund, Leitrim County Enterprise Board, The Conty Leitrim Partnership, Arigna LEADER, The Department of Agriculture, International Fund for Ireland, The Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, and INTERREG II.

We wish them well.

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