17 Jan 2011

Architectural Design Competition: PlaySpace in Killybegs, Co. Donegal

Donegal County Council Public Art Office in partnership with the Irish Architecture Foundation and the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) have launched an architectural competition for the design of a PlaySpace in Killybegs, Co. Donegal.The promoters are seeking to make this one stage architectural competition an exemplar play commission and to this end, the IAF has initiated a detailed and comprehensive consultation process with the children, parents and playground committee in Killybegs.

The PlaySpace is an Architectural Public Art Commission made possible by a partnership funding arrangement utilising the Per Cent for Art Scheme budget, a disability budget and a budget secured by the Killybegs Playground Committee. The competition is open to architects and architect-led design teams. Once a competitor registers to take part in the competition, they have until 21 February 2011 to submit their entries.


Each entry will consist of one A1 size sheet of information. The construction budget for the PlaySpace is €65,000 and a prize fund of €6,000 is available. The winners of the competition will be announced at the end of March 2011.


17 Jan 2011

Deadline for New ‘Slow Architecture and Sustainability': 30 Jan 2011

Source: ArchitectureNow

SARC – an architectural research collective – is looking for expressions of interest in the participation in a canal-based travelling educational programme on the theme of ‘architecture and sustainability’ to take place on the Barrow navigation, travelling from Monasterevin to Waterford from May to July 2011.
Deadline for New ‘Slow Architecture and Sustainability': 30 Jan 2011

SARC – an architectural research collective – is looking for expressions of interest in the participation in a canal-based travelling educational programme on the theme of ‘architecture and sustainability’ to take place on the Barrow navigation, travelling from Monasterevin to Waterford from May to July 2011.


Selected participants will be asked to develop the theme of Slow – architecture and sustainability in relationship to a project and the process of design. Participants should have the enthusiasm and experience to communicate their project as part of a teaching process to school children.


The notion of Slow Architecture as a design approach for our built environment – an approach based on time for reflection as well as the craft of making – formed the basis of our exhibition on the Grand Canal in 2010. This exhibition engaged with some 300 school children as well as architects and the general public over its two month journey from Shannon to Liffey.


The three pillars of social, environmental and ethical concerns support the slow movement and it is the communication of these values through our built environment to the younger generation that forms the basis for our programme in 2011.


Expressions of Interest should take the form of a written document of not more than 300 words with accompanying illustrations and clearly demonstrate your intended response and method of communicating to a younger generation.


Your document should be sent to SARC c/o Solearth, Daintree Building, 62 Pleasants Place Dublin 8- before 30th January 2011. Further informationwww.slowarchitecture.ie

17 Jan 2011

Export Performance and Prospects for 2010/2011

The value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 11% in 2010 to reach an estimated €7.88bn

The future of the Irish economy has become increasingly dependent on the agri-Export Performance & Prospects 2010/2011 front coverfood sector as the leading indigenous industry. The sector has taken decisive action in response to the challenging market environment with a strong focus on costs combined with investments to broaden the customer and market base served. These developments leave the sector in a stronger position to withstand the pressures created by the ongoing global economic situation and ever volatile exchange rates.

The export performance was boosted by a more stable consumer environment, somewhat reduced exchange rate pressures, improved relative competitiveness of Irish manufacturers and higher global prices for most agricultural commodities. The strength of this performance is highlighted by the fact that during the first nine months of 2010, food and drink exports accounted for 30% of the growth recorded in total merchandise exports. All major categories recorded increased export revenues in 2010 with the strongest growth evident in Dairy, Beverages, Meat and Seafood.

Looking ahead to 2011 the prospects for food and drink exports remain broadly positive, helped by relatively strong global demand for commodity products and a tight supply situation in a number of key product categories.

Click here to view the related press release - "Bord Bia: Irish Food & Drink Key Export Driver as Sales Approach €8 billion"

Download the report in (PDF format):  Export Performance and Prospects for 2010-2011

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17 Jan 2011

Having a Genuine Point of Difference - John Russell

In Italy, garden centres have a simple business motto – “Have a ‘Consuleri’ and a ‘Purple Cow’”. In other words a Consultant or mentor, and a real Point of Difference!

Many garden centres claim a point of difference – in fact I do often get a response when I pose the question. But mostly what I am told are ‘Good Quality’, ‘Good Range’, ‘Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff’. Which garden retailer would survive today without these qualities? These are not so much points of difference as necessities!

A genuine Point of Difference must embody all of the following three aspects:-

  1. Tangible – the point of difference must be clearly obvious to customers, and it must be measurable in a physical financial way. 
  2. Customer benefit – the point of difference must offer a significant benefit to a large number of customers. 
  3. Unique – the point of difference must be something that is significantly different to what competitors are offering.

    If a gardener has a choice of three garden centres to shop in your area why would they choose yours? Many garden centres claim points of difference that are necessities in modern retailing, not genuine points of difference.

    John Russell comments: Often when I am consulting, or running staff training sessions, I ask the staff or garden centre owner ‘What is your Point of Difference?’ – ‘If I drove into town and had a choice of three garden centres to visit why would I choose yours?’
    I expect to be bombarded with lots of reasons and aspects that make the particular outlet different. Instead, I am met by a lot of pondering and head scratching! If the owner and staff don’t know what makes their store special and different, how will their customers, and why will they go there?

Unless all three factors are in place there is little or no point of difference.

So how do we go about making our garden retail outlet different and special? Here are some ideas:-

  1. Make a big promise about something that frustrates customers. A good example of this is SuperQuin supermarkets in Ireland. Customer surveys found huge frustration with queues. Their response was to limit numbers in queues to two, and to limit waiting times. If they failed to achieve this, you got your groceries for free! This was a point of difference that was a) tangible, b) a benefit to the customer, c) unique. It has also been hugely successful!
     
  2. Specialise or become best in town and famous for a major product group or service. Kings Plant Barns in New Zealand were first to have large covered outdoor retail areas and covered drive through shopping – a major customer service which is a) tangible, b) a benefit to the customer, c) unique. 
    Thompson’s Plants Plus in Orange N.S.W. has the best pot and tree selections in the area. 
    In Ireland Garden Works were famous for a customer friendly layout to the garden centre – the plant area was laid out by ‘end use ‘ categories rather than by plant categories. In addition they had numerous ‘end use ‘concept / theme displays.
     
  3. Create a unique loyalty programme. This is not so easy to do in today’s market as there is a plethora of loyalty programmes being offered. Controlling costs of loyalty programmes can also be difficult. Create a programme that is based on added value, that is a) tangible, b) a benefit to the customer, c) unique.  Structure it so that it benefits both retailer and customer.
     
  4. Survey customers to see if you have a point of difference that can be enhanced. Customers have many different reasons to visit your garden centre. For a point of difference to be real it must be a major for most customers
     
  5. Create a strategic alliance with a designer or landscaper in order to offer more than competitors.
     
  6. Implement and advertise your point of difference. Having created a point of difference it is important to implement it with intensity so that it is recognized by all customers. If you are doing things differently and better than everyone else, make a big noise about it – “we have the best range of ----“, “Your only under cover garden centre”, “The ---- experts” etc.  This can be done in a number of ways – signage, information brochures, and advertising. A byline on every press or radio advertisement, every email you send to your customer database, on your Facebook site, on your website, is an excellent way to get across the message that “you are the best”!

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17 Jan 2011

Inside Japan - Rachel Doyle Visits Japanese Garden Centres.

The 52nd International Garden Centre Congress was held in Japan in October of this year. This was the first time a congress was held in Asia.
Over 200 delegates from 18 countries attended. On the study tour bus were participants from New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, England,
Hungry, U.S, Australia & myself from Ireland. It was a lovely group, lots of sharing of information from marketing, to succession planning &
everything in between. The microphone plugged into points along the bus so most people felt comfortable to share & there was no pressure
on anyone.

We flew into Tokyo and our first three days were spent in this area. It is a wonderful country steeped in tradition & culture. We visited vari-
ous gardening related business, garden centres, Japanese traditional gardens, temples and experienced the art of Bonsai from the masters. From
the ultra modern city of Tokyo we visited the Sakata Seed Corporation, a rose nursery & a flower auction.

The garden centres are not as modern as ours & only 1 had a food offering. I was very impressed with their “loos” you washed your hands on
a sink fixed to the toilet cistern & the water was then used to flush the toilet. Mind you the toilet seats were heated & played music! Many gar-
den centres had multi storey car parks, regardless of their size as space is at a premium. There were even multi storey bicycle parks.

My favourite garden was a small centre called Lobelia, it reminded me of Blackwater. They had a staff of ten people & it was a treasure. Lots of
interesting nooks & crannies & excellent quality plants & planted containers. Every inch of space was used to best effect. We had the

opportunity to try our hand at the “ikebana” style of flower arranging & also had a visit to an amazing museum of plants.

Rice is the main crop we saw growing, 10 million tons per year. There were many highlights but the one I will never forget is a visit to a tem-
ple. At 8pm we all went in & the Michael girls were doing their dance. There was a large pond, overhanging trees & strategically placed lighting.
As we entered all 200 delegates went quiet. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs this was a truly spiritual experience, impossible to capture on
camera. Congress is an amazing networking event, meeting wonderful, like minded people. I went to my first congress to Canada in 1995 &
haven’t missed one since. It’s a tax deductible trip.

Congress 2011 will be in the South Tyrol & Lake Garda area of Italy. We have put a ceiling on of 150 delegates & by the end of the Japanese
trip 105 had already registered from 16 countries. The study tour for under 40s will cost about €900. This is for the new generation of garden

centre owners. It will be for 4 days & the young people will be staying in a youth hostel. A pre tour of Tuscany is being considered.

You can visit the homepage on www.igcacongress2011.com for more info, or give me a call in the Arboretum.

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17 Jan 2011

GCAI 2011 Bus Tour

The GCAI are organising a bus tour of a selection of the best South Western UK garden centres for Spring 2011. Provisional dates are 1st & 2nd March. They plan to visit 6 award winning centres including Frosts, Van Hage, Poplars, RHS Wisley, Haskins & Stewarts Gardenland. Stay for 2 days & 1 overnight. The expected cost is €300 which includes tour guide Ian Boardman, bus, driver, overnight accommodation & dinner but exclude flights (out of & back to Dublin), lunch & drinks. To find out more or to express an interest please email anne@gio.ie

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12 Jan 2011

Cultivate News & Events Digest

Collaborative Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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A Weekend Workshop for Change Makers

Saturday & Sunday 22nd - 23rd January 2011 | 09.30 - 17.00 | €175 / Early Bird €150 ends 14th Jan Book Online Here | The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew St, Dublin 2 | Map | PDF Invite

In these challenging times how can we use collaborative forms of leadership, innovation, fundraising and community building to strengthen our entrepreneurial and change projects?

This workshop introduces:
  • The U-process, offering a set of principles and practices for collectively creating the future that wants to emerge; a breakthrough methodology for collaborative innovation and accessing deeper wisdom
READ MORE...
 

The Economics of Happiness

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happiness-film.jpgWednesday, 2nd February 2011 | 19:30 | €5 | Sugar Club, Lower Lesson Street, Dublin 2 

Cultivate, in association with FEASTA, Grow It Yourself, Transition Towns Ireland and Northern Ireland, Slow Food Ireland, Happenings, Green Works and the International Society for Ecology and Culture present...

A special Dublin screening of The Economics of Happiness. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with the director and special guests including economist Richard Douthwaite of FEASTA, journalist and founder of GIY Mick Kelly, educator Suzie Cahn from Transition Ireland and Northern Ireland and networker Sarah Fleming,  Slow Food International.  Davie Philip, the Community Resilience coordinator from Cultivate, will chair the discussion.

Information from each of the organisations involved (listed above) will be available and the evening will act as an informal social and networking opportunity for those active in building the local economy.

 

What is Second Republic?

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Second Republic is a movement of people who are organising to campaign for the establishment of a National Convention in Ireland. That convention, like one currently running in Iceland, will re-examine every facet of how we organise ourselves as a State.

The current crisis leaves no doubt that our State, as it is currently established, is unfit to properly manage our affairs.  A state that becomes as indebted as Ireland is clearly in need of reform. We want to take this moment and see it not as a time of despair but as an opportunity to rebuild.

Our campaign is one that seeks to put the question of Ireland’s future in the people’s hands. And you can join in too!

Setting the agenda for reform

Second Republic is about setting an agenda, not pushing a particular vision of Ireland. We want to place genuine political reform at the forefront of a national debate and see the People of Ireland decide the shape a reborn Ireland should take.

 

upstart.jpgUpStart is a non-profit arts collective (view an intro video)which aims to put creativity at the centre of public consciousness during the Irish General Election Campaign in 2011. We plan to do this by reinterpreting the spaces commonly used for displaying election campaign posters in Dublin City and are calling on all artists to submit work for this exhibition.

The objectives of UpStart are to encourage a debate on the role of the arts in this state. We hope to highlight the importance of creativity and ingenuity when society is in need of direction and solutions, and to emphasize the value of the arts to public life. We believe that the future development of the country requires a healthy cultivation of the Arts.

We are asking for submissions to this project from the full range of artistic disciplines. Our aim is to receive 500 submissions from writers and visual artists, photographers, painters and graphic designers. These works will be duplicated and 1000 pieces will be printed as election size posters and be erected throughout Dublin city. We are also accepting works from musicians and film makers which will be hosted and exhibited through our website which will be launched on the day of the electoral poster campaign.

UpStart comprises artists and writers from Ireland and abroad and are non-aligned to any political party. UpStart respects and follows Dublin City Council litter regulations and operates within the requirements of Irish law.

 

Green Works - Upskill for the Green Economy

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Free training for jobseekers | green-works.ieGreen Works

Interested?  Please fill-in an Expression of Interest Form Dublin Hub:  Cultivate, The Greenhouse, St Andrew St, Dublin 2 (map) 

Green Works offers courses at Cultivate, both in Dublin and the Eco Village in Cloughjordan, Tipperary, and at our partner hubs in Cork and Sligo (with other locations coming on line soon).  The training is aimed at educating and upskilling the workforce, preparing students for growing opportunities within Ireland’s green economy. Students will benefit from a wide variety of themed courses, FETAC certificates, workshops, work placements, lectures, networking and more.

 

Cultivate Members' Meetings

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Join us for our monthly meetings where we share ideas, watch films, set challenges, and discuss current issues all within the framework of living sustainably and understanding sustainability locally and globally. Our meetings have been running for over three years and bring the Cultivate community together for a bit of mutual appreciation . So do come along!  

Mark your calendars...  The future dates of members' meetings are: 20 December 2010 - 7pm | 24 Jan 2011 – 7pm | 21 Feb 2011 – 7pm | 28 March 2011 - 7pm | 18 April 2011 – 7pm | 30 May 2011 – 7pm | 20 June 2011 – 7pm

All meetings are at The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew St, Dublin 2 (map)

 
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11 Jan 2011

CABE News UK

GreenSpace news
Full green space advocacy document released 
GreenSpace has published an extended version of its Blue Sky Green Space advocacy document, comprehensively highlighting the benefits of parks, drawing from a substantial evidence base.

The well-received executive summary of the document was presented to ministers last year on behalf of GreenLINK to keep green spaces on the political agenda. The paper outlines the many benefits that a diverse range of quality green spaces bring, covering health; communities; economic and environmental value. Blue Sky Green Space is intended to be a collaborative, fluid format - reacting appropriately to the latest research - and will be updated accordingly. More

GreenLINK brings together, at a national level, organisations that are active in the parks and green space sector. Participating organisations include charities and trusts, social enterprises and other non-governmental bodies. The next meeting will take place on 21 January. Please email Sarah Cox at sarahc@green-space.org.uk for more information. 

GreenSpace stepping up social media activity
The new year has signalled the launch of GreenSpace’s new social media action plan. Increased activity on Twitter will allow us to spread information and respond to enquiries as quickly as possible. This feed will be particularly useful for sharing daily news and events that haven’t made it into The Bench. To stay up-to-date with sector news, or to ask us a question, see www.twitter.com/GreenSpaceUK . 

The GreenSpace Community Network will also be looking to engage with the public through Facebook, and is set to unveil its page in the coming weeks. Membership to the Community Network is free to all community groups, with benefits including knowledge sharing and discounts on many GreenSpace offerings. More 

Also in 2011...
GreenSpace will be exhibiting at green and ethical lifestyle show UK Aware on 25-26 March 2011. Our magazine Green Places is a media sponsor of the event. The show is taking place during Climate Week, a national campaign week against climate change, which we are also supporting.

Not a professional but still interested in parks?
The Community Bench is a newsletter dedicated to members of the community who would like to keep up to date with the latest developments affecting their green space. The Community Bench provides updates on news, funding avenues and events, as well as profiling members of community groups across the country to help spread learning and good practise. Sign up here

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Sector news
CABE Space publishes guide to successful green space management
CABE Space has released a new document examining how the organisation and structuring of parks and green space services affects their performance.

'Managing green spaces: seven ingredients for success’ brings together evidence to assist green space managers, corporate decision-makers and advisors in deciding the future of services. It sets out seven ‘ingredients for success. and outlines the resources that green space managers can draw on to describe the critical services that green spaces provide to local communities. A summary of the research is published on the CABE website, and a full version is available here.

Following its loss of funding, CABE's online presence is now an archived version of the organisation's website as of 1 January 2011. Although the site will no longer be updated. the permanent archive, provided by the National Archive, will still be of great value to practitioners in the sector, particularly the technical advice section specifically for green space managers. More 

Parks across the UK receive Lottery cash boost
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) have announced the latest round of confirmed funding for parks through their joint Parks for People funding programme. Wandle Park in Croydon receives £1.9 million to restore its original Victorian features and The Green in Allerdale, Cumbria has been allocated £1.2 million will partly go towards training for up to 80 new staff. 

HLF has also separately awarded £2.5 million to Aberdeen’s Duthie Park and £820,000 to Cwmdonkin Park in Swansea, while a further 11 parks have received first-round passes. A full list of parks and their planned spending areas are detailed on the HLF website, accompanied by a quote from GreenSpace General and Business Development Manager David Tibbatts praising the continued Lottery funding. More 

Royal approval for the role of parks
The Queen’s Christmas message focused on the value of play and exercise to the nation, particularly recognising the health benefits of such activities as the 2012 Olympics draw nearer. In her address to the nation, the Queen paid tribute to the sport played by those “in the parks of towns and cities and on village greens up and down the country.” These visits, she added, “play a part in providing a different perspective on life.” More 

2011 - International year of forests
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Events taking place throughout the year are designed to raise awareness and promote ‘forests for people’. More 

Parks services recognised in national awards night
The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Performance Networks Awards 2010 were held in December. The awards celebrate the best performers from local councils in frontline public services and those services that have made the most improvement on performance.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council was awarded 'top performer' in the parks, open spaces and horticultural services category. 'Most improved performer' in the category was Dumfries and Galloway Council. Both winners were presented their awards by Kirsty Rhind, forum manager of GreenSpace North West, who sponsored the awards category.

APSE’s Performance Networks service hosts the UK’s largest voluntary data benchmarking group for local councils, which helps them to improve value for money and quality in local public services. More 

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Diary dates
For a full list of upcoming events in the sector, visit the GreenSpace sector events page.

20 January 2011
SUDS foundation course
Organiser: CIRIA
Location: London
Contact: www.ciria.org 
A one-day training programme to enable practitioners to efficiently plan, design, construct and manage SUDs schemes.

2 February 2011
Natural Connections: the role of green space in connecting people to their local environment
Organiser: Countryside Recreation Network 
Location: Sheffield
Contact: www.countrysiderecreation.org.uk 
A one-day conference exploring the changes in the concepts of 'natural' and 'outdoors', and what this means for the services that green spaces provide and how it is managed - as a component or urban and rural infrastructure.

10 February 2011
Inspecting Play Areas - cutting the cost
Organiser: London Play 
Location: London
Contact: www.londonplay.org.uk 
A morning seminar showing how significant savings can be made and systems improved by reducing paperwork and having a smarter approach to inspections.

14 February 2011
Green Flag demonstration day
Organiser: GreenSpace East Midlands 
Location: Shipley Country Park, Derbyshire
Contact: www.green-space.org.uk/eastmidlands 
A one-day event to learn about the scheme, its award categories and their criteria, site and assessments, mystery shopper, the scheme timetable and benefits of winning an award. The day will achieve this through presentations, examples, outdoor activities and a site visit.

22 February 2011
Enhancing sites for natural play
Organiser: Environmental Training Network 
Location: Birmingham
Contact: shop.btcv.org.uk 
A one-day course to explore the process of enhancing sites for children’s natural play in parks, country parks, heritage sites, school grounds, play areas and other open spaces. 

23 February 2011
Improving access to paths
Organiser: Paths for All 
Location: West Lothian
Contact: www.pathsforall.org.uk 
A one-day course providing essential information for improving access to paths for everyone in the countryside. Learn to evaluate your own path provision in order to make reasonable adjustments, improving accessibility to a wider range of users.

    


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11 Jan 2011

Artificial GardenGrass Spoiling the Chickens

The Lohmann Brown hens in the first Rondeel poultry house in Barneveld are faring well: courtesy of the artificial grass system of GardenGrass. The success of the initiative prompted the decision to install artificial grass in Rondeel’s second revolutionary poultry farm in Wintelre, in the province of Noord-Brabant (Netherlands).

 

GardenGrass artificial grass for poultry house

The Rondeel facility is a unique housing concept for laying hens. The concept is the culmination of extensive research undertaken at Wageningen University, which set out to explore the options for a sustainable future for laying hen husbandry. The first Rondeel facility was opened in the Dutch town of Barneveld in April 2010. Construction of the second Rondeel facility commenced in September.

In a nutshell, the concept consists of night quarters and day quarters. The night quarters provide for the hen’s primary needs: eating, sleeping, resting and laying eggs. The day quarters are designed to meet the hen’s natural needs such as scratching and dust bathing. The Rondeel facility is the ultimate example of economic and corporate social responsibility: respect for animal welfare, the environment and economic gains.

The role of artificial grass in the Rondeel facility

The aim of the initiators was to introduce a true-to-nature concept into the hens’ day quarters. In other words: to simulate the hens’ natural outdoor environment indoors. Not natural grass, which would have a limited life span, but artificial grass. GardenGrass was the only supplier willing to take up the challenge of fitting the entire Day Quarters out with artificial grass, allowing the hens to move around freely, scratch and peck at the ground.

Initial results are encouraging, suggesting that the intended beneficial effects have been established: healthy, vibrant hens producing a high egg yield. Those positive results provided much of the impetus for introducing the second facility so soon after the first. This Rondeel facility will also be equipped with the GardenGrass system. A sustainable solution for an equally sustainable concept.

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11 Jan 2011

Salon Du Vegetal 2011 - New Plant Entries

Discover the 47 entries for the novelties competition Innovert®


A new genus, a new cultivar, a marketing concept... The Innovert® competition recognizes new plants and the most significant innovations in the varietal and commercial fields.
Discover the 47 entries for the novelties competition Innovert®.

Discover the products:
Category A - « New plant »
Category B - « Commercial plant innovation »
Category C - « Non plant products »

Download the pictures:
 - one by one, in high definition :
Category A - « New plant » 
Category B - « Commercial plant innovation » 
Category C - « Non plant products »
 - all the pictures classified by category, in high definition:
Category A (Zip 55Mo) - « New plant » 
Category B (Zip 11Mo) - « Commercial plant innovation » 
Category C (Zip 19Mo) - « Non plant products » 

    

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7 Jan 2011

NEWS - International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration & International Federation of Landscape Architects sign Memorandum of Understanding

Members of both Ifpra and Ifla have many values and objectives in common and the relationship between the two Organisations was taken forward through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the recent Ifpra Asia Pacific Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand.


In addition to creating mutual web links and support of members' professional needs through joint development, commitment and action, both Organisations will provide representatives to work on mutual relevant work programmes. Ifpra and Ifla have agreed to support the principles of the ICOMOS Venice Charter to develop a World Landscape Charter that incorporates concern for the preservation and enhancement of the world environment and sensitive development of both natural and cultural landscapes within it, in order to enhance the quality of life.

The two Organisations are to work together to develop international policy on environmental and educational issues of mutual interest, to achieve a more effective 'voice' in international fora.

Rob Small, President of Ifpra, states:

The International Federation of parks and Recreation is delighted to be joining forces with the International Federation of Landscape architects through this memorandum of understanding. The elements of built and soft landscapes in our urban environments are more significant than many people realise on our health and well-being, our sense of place, our environment and the economy of our cities. We are looking forward to working on joint initiatives that we hope will have a profound impact on preserving our cultural landscapes, and further the liveability of our communities.

Diane Menzies, President of Ifla, states:

Ifla welcomes the agreement. We have much in common and many landscape architects work in park design and management. I am sure a closer working relationship will benefit both our memberships. 

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7 Jan 2011

NEWS - Price Yourself Back into the Market by John Stanley

The downturn in retail sales has resulted in many retailers around the world introducing a discount strategy to try and survive. This strategy is a relatively a short term measure and many retailers were hoping the downturn would be a short lived phenomena. The downturn, in many countries, has been longer than most experts predicted and the discount strategy has now completed its lifecycle. Purchasing at a discounted price has become a norm for many consumers and it is time to break the cycle for many businesses to develop.

To continue a discount retail strategy will result in more retail businesses closing their doors for good and as a result reduce the choice available to the consumer.

So where does the retailer go from here in the pricing game?

1]
  
% Sales

A number of ideas have come to light over the last few months that could help us rethink how we price products and get consumers to start buying again.

The January sales seem to be starting earlier and earlier. I was in Germany in mid December and they had already started in the clothing sector, even before the Christmas rush of shopping. What intrigued me was that it was obvious that a sale was taking place, but it was not obvious how big the sale offer was. Gone were the 50% off, 70% off signs that I discussed on my internet TV program Retail Globe Report in the past twelve months. These were replaced with a
  
“%” signs over products and on promotions. The consumer actually had to look at the individual price signs to gauge the discount. This meant that the retailer could alter the discount as they felt appropriate.

This was a common retail technique across the whole of retailing
  
and was not just the odd store that has taken on this practise. What I liked about the system was that it caught the consumers’ eye, encouraged them into the store and forced them to be more focused on their browse shopping. One store I went into cleverly placed the products. The new ,full priced products were displayed at the front of the store and the biggest discounted sale items were located to the rear of the store.

2] Decoy Pricing

This is a technique that has proved to work in the restaurant industry and I am sure will work for some other retailers. I came across it in a blog by Roger Dooley entitled “Neuro-Menus and Restaurant Psychology”

The principle is that you price an inferior product at a close price point to a genuine great quality product with the aim of boosting sales of the higher priced product. The two products need to be located near to each other to enable the consumer to price compare and they both need to be heavily signed. This system could work where you are offering a small and large version of the same product. Put the price up of the smaller product to make the larger product look more attractive to the consumer.

3] Romance the Sale

This is a technique used by the perfume industry, food retailers and plant sellers.  

It is a simple technique where you literally romance the product in the words you use to promote the product. If you are not sure how the system works, pick up a women’s magazine and look at the words used to promote products in the adverts. As I write this article I have a magazine next to me and the words in the adverts include:

“This season the rules are being rewritten with a trend ... ” what a great way to sell a new product, in this case it was lipstick.

“Feel, Imagine, Enjoy” to sell a perfume.

And

“Splash out on Timeless Treats”  to sell blouses.

How can you develop in-store romance promotions using emotional  selling?

4 ] Priceless Pricing

 Priceless Pricing is another example from the restaurant industry that I have seen used many times in my webinars on my Members Club. The research indicates that if you remove the “$” sign when pricing the average sale goes up. If restaurants price a meal at $14.55 it will sell less that if it was priced at 14.55.  The removal of the  $, £,  or  sign can make a big different to the bottom line.

Take a fresh look at your pricing strategy and consider how you can manipulate it to increase sales. Often the consumer will not notice. I worked with one client in the garden industry where we changed the price based on whether a plant was in flower or not. The consumer expects to pay more when the plant is in flower. Your job is not to disappoint them.

John Stanley is a retail business coach, speaker and author.  He has authored several successful marketing and retail books,  produces a monthly internet TV program Retail Globe Report on retail trends as well as monthly e-training for his Club Members on his website.  As a CSP John is considered one of the top ten percent of speakers in the world.   John Stanley helps retailers: Increase sales per square metre,  increase the average sale per customer, better manage stock, merchandise and display to maximise potential, market more effectively to convert lookers into buyers.  Visit www.johnstanley.com.au  to join his Members Club or for information on how he can help you grow your business or email linda@johnstanley.com.au

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5 Jan 2011

Colour your Life News Letter


January 2011
Happy New Year! 

Here we are again, the old year is just a memory and (hopefully) everyone is filled with optimism for 2011. Our mission for the New Year is truly to ‘Colour your Lives’! 

Resources

This means equipping retailers with the tools they need to get even better results in their planterias than they did in 2010. Go online at www.colour-your-life.co.uk to see the new suite of materials plus the full listof promotional themes for the coming year. Materials are available directly from the website, via the on-line poster service or to create directly from the special CD ROM (drop us a line if you need one and we’ll send it out). The flexibility is there so that whatever medium works best for you – you can choose it. For established users, you’ll notice some exciting innovations and improvements, including the possibility to scale your logo to whatever size suits you.

Communication

The digital newsletter has proved to be a fantastic success with more retailers reading and benefiting from it every month. 

Feedback suggests that it is a targeted and efficient way for people to access campaign stories and news – Do you know someone who would benefit from this newsletter ?
 
If you do, contact us on contact@colour-your-life.co.uk and we’ll add them to the list. Also look out for your hard-copy newsletter too. It’s full of good stories and campaign info and will be with you any day now.


January promo – Heavenly heathers

Taking Erica as our plant focus, materials for January highlight the winter beauty of Erica carnea and other winter flowering heaths and heathers, including. ‘Golden Starlet’ (white flowers and yellow to lime green foliage), ‘Myretoun Ruby’ (magenta-crimson flowers), or 'Nathalie' yields (red flowers and dark foliage). 

January is not too early to entice customers out into the planteria, as long as you have some seasonal stunners like this with which to tempt them. And it’s not just the plants that you should promote – the stories can be a great way to grab customers’ attention too. 

Great stories!

All heaths and heathers are an important pollen source for our beleaguered bee population – grow them and do your bit. Erica carnea also harbours a bit of a saucy secret... Let’s just say that it’s got the ‘power’ to see the plants flying through the tills!

So what's the secret?


Play your cards right and get loyalty from your customers!

A well marketed Loyalty or Reward scheme is a great way of engaging with your customers and get them returning to you time and time again!  A recent report by the Maximiles Group found that 60% of consumers believe a reward programme “strengthens their relationship with the brand”.  

Another survey carried out by Loyalty specialist ICLP found that Tesco and Boots topped the poll of retailers shoppers have the strongest relationship with. Both of these retail giants have loyalty schemes which are probably the most popular in the UK.  Stuart Evans, ICLP UK general manager says: “It is clear that customers want something in return for their loyalty. When UK shoppers feel the pinch of the VAT increase next year, this call will surely get louder and go out to more and more top UK brands."


So what can you do to keep your customers?


We don't like to blow our own trumpet....

So we let others do it for us!

Over the last few months we have heard from retailers who find our campaign an asset to their business; this month we hear from Louise Canfield. 

Louise is in charge of POS at a major independent garden centre in Hertfordshire.

 
What does Louise have to say?


 
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4 Jan 2011

Garden and Landscape Design Seminar

Garden and Landscape Design Seminar
When:
29 January 2011 
Where:
National Botanic Gardens - Dublin
Category:
Horticulture & Fresh Produce Events Ireland

Description

Inspired: What drives successful design?

Design is borne of many things; Ego, empathy , passion, skill, history, belief, knowledge, vision, bravery, economy and emotion all play their part in stimulating designers to solve problems, satisfy desires and overcome challenges. What drives and constitutes successful design is a somewhat more complex issue. While consensus may be reached on intent, function and aesthetics, the shifting sands of time alter perception, attitude and environment making it an essentially ephemeral agreement; And one which design professionals have debated for eons.

To frame a contemporary vision of what drives successful design, the Garden and Landscape Design Association (GLDA) have enlisted the genius of some of Europe’s most respect design professionals for a day of insight, opinion and debate.
 
Now in its 15th successful year, the GLDA design seminar, which is aptly entitled, Inspired:What drives successful design? Will take place on Saturday 29th of January at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. The speaker line-up for the eagerly awaited 2011 seminar features multi award-winning design professionals of national and international acclaim, including Tom Stuart-Smith, Róisín Heneghan of Heneghan Peng Architects, Hugh Ryan MGLDA and James Doyle of James Doyle Associates.

As the design calendar event of the year places are already being snapped up. To secure your place at this exciting event you are encouraged to book early. 

For tickets and further information contact the GLDA office on: 01 2940092, info@glda.ie or via www.glda.ie.

This event is proudly supported by Bord Bia, Ireland’s Food Board.

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4 Jan 2011

GLDA Ireland

Who are we?

The GLDA is an association of qualified and experienced garden designers and landscape architects who are also plant experts, which was formed in 1995 to set and maintain the highest professional standards in the field. The founders believed there was a need for a truly professional umbrella organisation, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, and that such an Association would bring immense benefits and security to the public, the designers and the future of garden-making and landscaping in Ireland.

Before becoming a Full Member, each applicant is rigorously assessed by an external panel of professionals, made up of acknowledged experts from the design, horticultural, and academic sides of the profession.

Objectives
  • To set standards for garden and landscape design.
  • To raise public awareness of garden and landscape designers and the services they have to offer.
  • To liaise with relevant organisations in order to provide comprehensive education and ongoing training for members.
  • To facilitate the exchange of information between members, suppliers and the public.

What The GLDA Does

The faith of those early members was not misplaced. Within a few short years the GLDA has grown to become a dynamic force for good, which is now at the forefront of the revolution in Irish gardening. Through its ongoing training opportunities in drawing and surveying, its practical workshops and field trips, its intelligence gathering network, and most publicly, its highly acclaimed annual international design seminar, the GLDA disseminates new information on methods, techniques and current best practice in landscape design and horticulture, and has created a new demand for improved quality and increased availability of a much wider and more interesting selection of plants.

GLDA Council:
David Shortall - Chairman
Jane McCorkell - Treasurer
Sheena Vernon - Compass Editor
Gary Foran - Hon Secretary
Brian O'Hara
Peter Fitzpatrick (new)
Colm Doyle (new)
Tim Austen (new)

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4 Jan 2011

UK Bee Scientists to Force Killer Mites to Self Destruct

Scientists may be able to halt global honey bee losses by forcing the deadly Varroa mite, lethal in the freezing weather, to self destruct.

The blood-sucking Varroa is the biggest killer of honey bees world-wide, having developed resistance to beekeepers’ medication. It is particularly destructive in winter as depleted colonies do not have enough bees huddling together to keep warm.

Now researchers from the Government’s National Bee Unit and Aberdeen University have worked out how to ‘silence’ natural functions in the mites’ genes to make them self destruct.

Bee and varroa mite

Dr. Alan Bowman from the University of Aberdeen said:

“Introducing harmless genetic material encourages the mites’ own immune response to prevent their genes from expressing natural functions. This could make them self destruct. 

“The beauty of this approach is that it is really specific and targets the mites without harming the bees or, indeed, any other animal.”

Dr Giles Budge from National Bee Unit, part of the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), said:

“This cutting edge treatment is environmentally-friendly and poses no threat to the bees. With appropriate support from industry and a rigorous approval process, chemical-free medicines could be available in five to ten years.”

Environment Minister Lord Henley said:

“Bees are essential to putting food on our table and worth £200m to Britain every year through pollinating our crops. This excellent work by UK scientists will keep our hives healthy and bees buzzing.”

The process uses the Nobel Prize-winning theory ‘RNA interference’, which controls the flow of genetic information. So far the ‘silencing’ has worked with a neutral Varroa gene, which has no significant effect on the mite. Scientists now need to target a gene with the specific characteristics that are perfect to force the Varroa to self destruct.

Tests by other scientists have shown the treatment can be added to hives in bee feed. The bees move it into food for their young, where the Varroa hides.

Varroa facts

  • The Varroa mite, like a brown crab, is the biggest global killer of honey bees.
  • It originally attacked the Asian honeybee but jumped to the European honeybee, which has a poor natural defence.
  • The mite injects viruses, suppresses the bees’ immune system and feeds on blood.
  • Beekeepers use chemical controls but can never eradicate it and over the past decade the Varroa developed resistance to some medication.
  • If untreated, or given inappropriate chemicals, it can take just 1,000 mites to kill a colony of 50,000 bees.
  • Honey bees are worth £200m to the UK economy a year through pollinating crops
  • The Varroa mite entered the UK in 1992.
  • Honey bee populations have dropped by 23 per cent since 1992, potentially costing the economy millions of pounds.
  • In 1992 there were 23,767 beekeepers and 151,924 colonies. In 2010 there have been 21,000 beekeepers, and 116,500 colonies.
  • In summer an average colony has 30,000 to 50,000 honey bees.
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4 Jan 2011

Happy 10th Birthday to Donegan Landscaping

Peter Looks Back on his First 10 years!


On January 3rd 2001 I borrowed the tools for my first job and began creating my first garden under the name of Peter Donegan Landscaping Ltd.

I had just returned from Scotland and had rented the front room of the house from were I slept and worked. I was still, by 2 or 3 months, 24 years of age. Not the prettiest start, maybe, but I had to start somewhere….

A friend designed a logo and made me one t-shirt and one fleece jacket. Some headed paper and business cards were made. At the time I borrowed a friends fax line number so ‘I looked more professional’. I also used my folks home address. I bought a second hand computer [that couldn't work the internet] and printer for IR£80 and I was, put in extremely simple terms, in business.

 

I don’t have many images from that or the early years. Digital cameras weren’t out then. I did find this promo flyer that was done in that year and this image from January 2004 is the earliest I know of not on a photo negative.

 

I was trying to think of some firsts/ milestones for this post… 10 years is a long time. These are the few that immediately come to mind….

  • My first garden was created for Mary Stephenson in Howth Co. Dublin. Mary recently helped me organiseThe garden Groups trip to Irelands Eye.
  • The first award I was nominated for was the best new business award in 2001 by The Fingal Chamber of Commerce.
  • The first article printed about Peter Donegan Landscaping Ltd was in March 2004 in the Irish Entrepreneur Magazine entitled ‘Getting Dirty’. It hangs in my bathroom to this day.
  • October 23rd 2004 my first article for The Farmers Journal was published were I continued to write regularly for about 4 years.

But then there’s also some nice reading that tells the story well on the home and about pages.

These words that I have used for many years probably summise what I want to say quite well. Here’s to another 10 years. Thank you.

Whilst I flicked through my diary and realised just how much I actually had done… it should be noted that none of this would make any sense without someone to share the stories, the laughter and equally the tears with. I am forever greatful to the so many great friends and people I have met along this years road. From my heart, thank you.

Did I enjoy it? Every second. Don’t get me wrong… no road is an easy an easy one especially when I work in an industry that is so weather dependant and I am self employed. That is not a complaint…. more an additional reason to appreciate the people who stand tall by my side when times are a little tougher. You were there too when we laugh our socks off.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Thank you again, everyone, for everything.

Peter

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4 Jan 2011

Collaborative Entrepreneurship and Innovation

A Weekend Workshop for Change Makers

ep-flyers.jpg

Saturday & Sunday 22nd - 23rd January 2011 | 09.30 - 17.00 | €175 / Early Bird €150 ends 14th Jan Book Online Here | The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew St, Dublin 2 | Map | PDF Invite

In these challenging times how can we use collaborative forms of leadership, innovation, fundraising and community building to strengthen our entrepreneurial and change projects?

This workshop introduces:

  • The U-process, offering a set of principles and practices for collectively creating the future that wants to emerge; a breakthrough methodology for collaborative innovation and accessing deeper wisdom
  • How to best use social networking to create business possibilities and to stimulate inspired actions
  • Crowd Funding: Rethinking the way we finance our projects and initiatives, beyond bank loans, through collaborative efforts that make full use of the internet and new social media tools
  • Community Enterprise models that are more than just individuals pursuing their own interests
  • Green Entrepreneurship with a focus on upskilling the workforce for the growing opportunities within Ireland’s Green Economy 

This workshop is highly interactive and features short presentations from leading practitioners. Our learning will grow out of everyone’s contributions and presence. We will
support each other as co-learners. We will learn by observation, through stories from experienced practitioners, through reflecting on our own experience and practice, using interactive processes to build a safe and inspiring learning environment. We invite you to a collective inquiry.

Biographies of Facilitators

Simone Poutnik is a social entrepreneur, designer and facilitator of
collaborative innovation processes. She initiated and co-founded the Hub
Brussels - an inspiring space for people with ideas for a better world and
Natural Innovation, where she works with diverse groups of people from
government, business, non-profit and art organisations on experiential
learning and collaborative innovation for resilient futures.
www.natural-innovation.net

Hendrik Tiesinga designs and facilitates collaborative learning
and innovation processes in the field of sustainability in business and
social innovation. He is a co-founder of Natural Innovation and the Finance
Innovation Lab, a multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable
innovation in the financial sector in the UK. His other projects range from
collaborative space design to multi-stakeholder labs on metropolitan
agriculture.
www.natural-innovation.net

Chris Chapman is an experienced facilitator and host who specialises
in creating safe spaces to support deep and transformational work.
He is fascinated with how we blend individual, collective and global agendas
and how we can support the development of leaders fit for the times
we are in.
www.changeexploratory.com

Davie Philip is the Communications Manager at the Green Works
Tipperary Hub and runs the Community Resilience programme at Cultivate.
He lives in the Ecovillage in Cloughjordan and is currently the coordinator
for the Transition Network in Ireland and sits on the board of
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
www.green-works.ie | www.cultivate.ie

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4 Jan 2011

‘Your Business, Your Bank’ guide launched

A new 17-page guide designed to help small businesses develop better relationships with banks and access credit has been launched.

‘Your Business, Your Bank’  was prepared by the Credit Supply Clearing Group and offers advice for businesses, focusing on relationship-building, ensuring confidence and accessing credit.

Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe welcomed the launch and said…

The guide outlines various funding options open to businesses, provides an insight into what banks are looking for when examining credit applications, imparts information on credit pricing, and reveals practical tips on how to package credit applications

The guide takes into account the significant changes in the economic climate and credit requirements.

Minister O’Keeffe continued…

Before 2008, most credit applications were for loans for new capital investments but the severe economic downturn has brought about a dramatic shift in that trend.

This guide is timely in setting out the funding options for small businesses, outlining how they can access the kind of credit they need, and drawing together multiple stakeholders across Government and the enterprise community towards the common cause of recovery in the domestic economy,

The Credit Supply Clearing Group was setup by the Government in May last year.

The guide will compliment a new standard credit application form created by the Credit Review Office, designed to provide banks with all the information required to assess an credit application.

The following link is to a PDF file   The full guide can be viewed here 200kb pdf

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21 Dec 2010

Horticulture Hot Seat? Martin Ferris TD Sinn Fein Policy.

Agriculture & Rural Regeneration

There is a pressing need to formulate a strategy on farming and the wider issue of rural development. Such a strategy needs to be built up and developed by the communities directly affected by rural under-development. We believe that its core objective should be to break the cumulative cycle that starts with population decline, leading to a reduced demand for services, which leads to fewer employment opportunities and ultimately migration out of rural areas.

Throughout Ireland there are communities fighting their way out of this cycle with little or no aid from central government. These communities have often formed their own new co-operatives, local currency networks, social enterprise and development projects. They have started organic farming projects, agri-tourism initiatives and other diversified agricultural businesses.

These communities need proper funding and resources from central government. They need local government structures that can adapt to their needs.

Sinn Féin believes that the core objectives of any rural development programme should be:

  • Creating a co-ordinated programme that links agriculture, enterprise, environment, culture, health and education and social services strategies into a comprehensive integrated rural development project;
  • Keeping the maximum number of people on the land and preserving the social fabric of rural life;
  • Creating the conditions where rural communities themselves can rebuild their local economies;
  • Ensuring that everyone has a dignified standard of living, access to proper education, housing and health resources.

Sinn Féin also proposes:

Real reform of the CAP

Its original objectives were to maintain the maximum amount of farmers on the land while ensuring a proper standard of living for farmers and fair prices to consumers. This has not been delivered. The CAP funding mechanisms must be changed to help small farmers.

A funding initiative to promote organic farming in Ireland

Organic farming becomes commercially viable on a much smaller acreage than current farming. Such a programme will promote rural repopulation and could be vital element in breaking the current cycle of rural under-development.

Support for other projects

Other projects such as encouraging co-operative agricultural projects and broadleaf forestry projects should be vigorously promoted and supported.

Matching funds for rural enterprise projects

The bulk of funding for economic development currently goes to foreign export-orientated companies. Sinn Féin believes there should be equity in the allocation of funding for enterprise projects. Funding for indigenous enterprise projects have been cut in recent years.

Ending discrimination against local enterprise projects

There is also another level of discrimination in domestic funding mechanisms. Enterprise Ireland, the agency responsible for developing indigenous business, currently favours aiding businesses with export potential, overlooking the community and social enterprise sector. Sinn Féin believes that this form of economic discrimination should end.

An increase in Leader funds

The success of rural development projects under the EU Leader Programme is well recognised. However, such community-orientated funds only account for 7 per cent of the funding coming into the island over the next seven years. Sinn Féin believes that Leader funds are a vital part of any rural regeneration programme and should be the substantial part of EU funding flowing to rural areas.

A national conference

The crisis in rural Ireland is one that must be acted on now. Central government in Ireland should be prevailed upon to hold a national conference that could formulate a strategy to promote rural development in Ireland. Such a conference would have to be organised on a bottom-up participatory basis and not be solely representative of the vested interests that dominate agri-business and rural policies today.

The North-South Ministerial Conference (NSMC) has a role to play in organising this initiative. There is a pressing need for the formulation of policies on branding an all-Ireland national beef and dairy herd as well as making Ireland a centre for organic food within the EU.

These steps should be the beginning of a wider process of developing an all-Ireland strategy on agriculture.

EU funds

The EU must recognise the island as one economic unit when it comes to the allocation of EU funds and the application of policy. A crucial aspect of this would have to be a recognition of the need to recognise, through funding and policy formulation, the special needs of the Border regions to have their agricultural economies fully integrated.

EU programmes such as Leader should be administered immediately on an all-Ireland basis.

Organic food and the GM issue

There is a clear need for an integrated approach to organic farming throughout the island.

The island as a whole should be declared a GM-free zone. Not only would this be a major boost for the quality of food products being sold to Irish consumers but it would also help hugely the marketing of Irish food produce internationally. Again the NSMC has a clear role to play here.

Farmers markets and the co-operative principle

Planning law should include the need for farmers’ markets in new retail developments. Specific funding should be allocated to set up and fund such markets which must be run on the co-operative principle by the local communities in which those markets are sited.

Bringing quality back into Irish farming

There is a need to bring quality back into the Irish farm sector right from the decisions being made by the individual farmers, the food processors and abattoirs right down to the supermarkets and exporters.

We need an island wide code of principles for farm practices and commercial food processing. BSE and other diseases have been created not by chance but by the commercialisation of farming.

Sinn Féin Oireachtas Report on Future of Farming and Fishing in the West PDF documents

I am delighted to be able to present this report to the Committee. It is the fruit of much work in consultation with a wide range of people involved in the farming and fishing sector. As such it represents an accurate picture of both the current state of the rural…Read more

“Awakening the West - Overcoming Social and Economic Inequality” PDF documents

Download a PDF of Sinn Féin's “Awakening the West - Overcoming Social and Economic Inequality”. Read more

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21 Dec 2010

Who's Next In the Horticulture Hot Seat? Martin Ferris TD

Martin Ferris TD

Martin Ferris TD profile pictureMartin Ferris TD Phone: (01) 6184248
Email: martin.ferris@oireachtas.ie

Martin Ferris is Sinn Féín TD for Kerry North and party spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment and Local Government and Communications Energy & Natural Resources. He has been outspoken in highlighting the need for a co-ordinated strategy to re-build rural communities which have become depopulated over the last decade due to a lack of government strategy and the ongoing withdrawl of essential services.

He was elected to Kerry County Council and Tralee UDC in 1999 and to Leinster House for the constituency of Kerry North in 2002 and again in 2007. As the party's EU candidate for Munster in 1999 he received almost 30,000 votes. He is playing a key role in the development of the party across the country.

Martin was part of the Sinn Féin negotiating team and participates in party delegations which meet with the Irish and British governments. He has travelled extensively in support of the peace process.

Martin Ferris is married with six children. He has been an active republican since 1970 and was jailed for his political beliefs in the 1980s.

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21 Dec 2010

Horticulture Hot Seat - Sean Sherlock TD

Below are a number of links to questions asked by Sean Sherlock along with other policy material.

Agri-Food sector
As Spokesperson, we have drafted a Discussion Paper on the future of the Agri-Food sector
BUDGET 2011 - A BREAKDOWN FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY

No Change in Payment Level for Main Agriculture Schemes

The key schemes in relation to agriculture have seen no reduction in their rates. This means that for 2011, farmers participating in the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, REPS 4, AEOS and the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme will receive the same rate of payments as 2010. While this may be taken as a positive, it should be noted that payment rates under these schemes have seen substantial cuts already and farmers are getting lower rates than they did in 2008.

NUMBER OF SFP STILL AWAITING APPROVAL 2010
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of single farm payment applications for 2010 still awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter
HARVEST 2020 IMPLEMENTATION
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the recommendations from the food harvest 2010 report that will be prioritised for implementation in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter
AQUACULTURE LICENSES
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of outstanding applications for aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter
STRATEGIES FOR EXPANSION OF AGRICULTURE
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the strategies he has in place to encourage the expansion of agriculture between now and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter
FARM ASSIST FIGURES

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a breakdown per county of the number of farming families in receipt of farm assist for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

IMPORTED BEEF & LAMB FIGURES
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the quantity of beef and lamb imported in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter
COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the response and submissions he will make to the European Commission following the recently published discussion document on Common Agricultural Policy reform from the Commission entitled ‘The CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future; his response to the report and when he expects to communicate his proposals to the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter
BEEF CARCASSES CLASSIFICATION

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures he has taken to improve farmer confidence in the beef carcase classification system; his views on whether these machines are being operated correctly at all times; the deficiencies that have been found by his inspectors in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter

COST OF VETERINARY MEDICINES
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures he is taking to reduce the cost of veterinary medicines which are considerably more expensive than in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter
NITRATES WORKING GROUP

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to establish a nitrates working group with Teagasc to identify solutions for the pigs and poultry sectors once the present arrangement changes in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter

DAIRY HYGIENE SCHEME
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the dairy hygiene scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter
GRANT AID UNDER REPS TO ORGANIC FARMERS
To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications pending for grant aid under the REP scheme to organic farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter

     

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21 Dec 2010

Who's Next In the Horticulture Hot Seat? Sean Sherlock

Following on the 'Horticulture Hot Seat Series' we look at the background of opposition spokespersons on Agri/Hort. It is now that our sector should be contacting and questioning any of these potential candidates in order to influence policy. Highlight the sector problems now. Call him! Also check out the last profile on Andrew Doyle Fine Gael. Next in line is Martin Ferris of Sinn Fein. These are extraordinary times so you never know!

Sean Sherlock TD Labour - Biography.

Constituency:

Cork East

Euro Electoral Region:
Ireland South

Electoral Status:
Sean is currently a sitting TD for Cork East .

Address:
Davis Lane
Mallow
Co. Cork

Tel:
Phone: 022 53523
Fax: 022 57761
087-7402057

Email:
sean.sherlock@oir.ie

Website:
http://seansherlock.ie

Political Career:

  • Elected to the Dail, May 2007
  • First Co-opted to Mallow Town Council and Cork County Council in September 2003.
  • Elected to MTC and CCC June 2004.
  • 2004 Mayor of Mallow Town Council.

Occupation:

  • Full Time Public Representative

Memberships:

  • Blackwater Kayaking Club
  • Mallow Rugby Club
  • County Cork VEC
  • Mountaineering Club of Ireland

Other Interests:

  • Former Assistant to Proinsias De Rossa MEP

Birth Details:

  • 6/12/1972

Education:

  • Patrician Academy Mallow
  • College of Commerce, Cork
  • UCG, BA Economic and Politics
     


Regards
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14 Dec 2010

Horticulture Hot Seat CV: Andrew Doyle

Andrew Doyle TD
Agriculture Fisheries & Food

Personal Details

Home Address:
2a, The Lower Mall, Wicklow Town, Wicklow

Leinster House:
Tel: 01 6183611Fax: 01 6184560

Constituency Office Address:
2a, The Lower Mall, Wicklow Town, Wicklow
Tel: 0404-66622, Fax: 0404-66670

Internet:
http://www.andrewdoyle.ie/

E-mail:
andrew.doyle@finegael.ie

Andrew Doyle TD is a Fine Gael General Election candidate for Wicklow.

Andrew was elected to the 30th Dail in May, 2007. He was appointed Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, July, 2010. 

He was previously Deputy Spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Food and Horticulture.

After representing East Wicklow on Wicklow County Council since 1999, serving Chairman of the Council in 2005/2006, he was elected to represent Wicklow and East Carlow running on a Team Wicklow campaign with Billy Timmins T.D.

Since he has been elected, Andrew Doyle has been working for Wicklow /East Carlow people on many issues and on problems that effect people all over Ireland. Some of these are:

  • Commuter transport services for Wicklow –N11, trains and buses
  • Special needs children and their education
  • Community based policing and services especially community care 
  • Energy efficiency and microgeneration of electricity
  • Delivery of Best Practice in St.Columcille’s Hospital and a 24 hour A and E service
  • Sheep farming sector development support
  • Development of local food production and processing with traceability for all sectors
  • Campaign for Irish produced food to be labelled clearly
  • Fair trade in grocery retail for the suppliers, buyers and consumers
  • Supports Public Infrastructure Bond for broadband, public infrastructure, education, research and development, public transport
  • New Budgetary procedures for Departments including bidding, and finance following the patient as in new Fair Care Health proposals from Fine Gael
Visit links to recent Fine Gael Policy Documents on
  • Health -Fair Care
  • Third Level Education
  • Local Government Reform
  • New Era –Economic Stimulus Package
  • Public Service Reform
And more.

Andrew Doyle said “These policies clearly demonstrate that Fine Gael is awake to the problems this country faces. We represent the people who have the vision the willingness and the community spirit to drive Ireland back to stability and sustainable prosperity. When this is achieved, we will ensure that greed and self interest are never allowed to destroy the labours of generation”.

    


14 Dec 2010

A Greener Future Event

Transforming Ireland Seminar #27

Date: Thursday, 16 December 2010

Time: 12:30-14:00

Venue: Wood Quay Venue, Dublic City Council Civic Offices, Dublin 2

Topics:

Innovation Fund Ireland - Damien Callaghan, Intel Capital

A Greener Future - Ian Simington, NTR plc

The Seminar will be Chaired by Peter Clinch, Special Advisor to An Taoiseach

 Abstract:

A Greener Future

Ian Simington, Chief Executive of NTR plc’s Solar Division, will present an overview of what NTR plc is doing to ensure a Greener Future. As part of the presentation, Ian will talk about the financing of greentech projects and provide an overview of the work of the NTR Foundation, the philanthropic organisation established by NTR plc to address the challenges posed by climate change, resource sustainability and security of energy supply through the provision of targeted financial and expert support to projects, research and non-governmental organisations.

 

To register for this seminar, please click here

 

This is the last seminar in the current series


Regards
Joseph Blair
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HorticultureTrends
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14 Dec 2010

John Stanley asks "Is It Time to Get Back to Nature?"

John Stanley

As a consumer a walk down many High Streets of the world has become a bit of a drudge. Your walk can take you past retailers who are doing the same thing in the same way as they have done for a number of years. The result of this is that many consumers are now talking about buying online, it is more convenient and less hassle and then gives them time to enjoy different experiences.

Consumers are asking for an “added value experience “ rather than be offered more “stuff’ At the same time they are losing touch with nature since urban dwellers now make up 50% of the global population and that growth increase by 80 million a year.

An urban consumer ,who is out of touch with the nature and is looking for value experiences provides retailers with new marketing opportunities.

Retailers in Belgium are known for being a bit for edgy in their merchandising and display techniques They are bolder than retailers in other countries and it is a delight to walk down the Kammenstraat in Antwerpen. This is a street that is a bit more quirky in an already quirky retail environment.

Firstly one passes  “Fish and Chips” a clothes fashion store aimed at Generation Y, this is the only store I know that decorates its front window with graffiti and then sells tins of spray paint next to the counter as an impulse purchase when buying clothing. Over the road from this store is “All Saints” the UK clothing store that has some of the best theatre merchandising I am aware of in the clothing industry.

Further down the street you come to the newly opened Eilean Nature Shop .This store originated as concept developed by naturalist s and artists Robert and Angela Parkin form the UK.  They found it difficult to develop the idea of a flagship store in the UK and hence went into partnership with Johan Van Wambeke and his family in Belgium to open their first store in Belgium.

This is no ordinary store, it is a store focused on bringing nature to the urban consumer.

The retailer has joined forces with Natuurpunt, the Belgium conservation group who have over 100,000 members in the Flanders area of the country.

The 450 square metres store has a number of clear objectives

1 To introduce urban consumers to the nature issues that affect them and the local community, for example the organisation is trying to reintroduce the otter back into the Belgium countryside .

2 To provide the consumer with added value products that are Fair trade and from a know “natural “ source. This allows the store to become a story teller and not just another product retailer.

3 To provide an educational platform for the consumer to become more aware of their natural environment.

The store design provides a natural setting in the city. The store layout is set in a forest with a dry watercourse and islands display area. The categories on display include toys for children, grow it yourself, outdoor clothing, artwork from famous local artists on nature themes and natural cosmetics.

To take a virtual tour of the store log onto my member site www.johnstanley.com.au .  I have featured it in our December Retail World TV report on retail trends.

The consumer is looking for a new experience and the aim of the Nature Store is to provide a space where they can linger longer. Does it work? When customers walk in and you cans see them take a breath and slow down form the trudge of walking down the High Street.

Expect to see nature shops become more common on the High Street of the future.

    

Regards
Joseph Blair
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3 Dec 2010

How Do I Source Horticulture News in Ireland?

The answer is....with great difficulty. This is an email that I sent to Stiofan Nutty and Minister Cuffe. It is not a criticism of them personally but is more of an appeal to help me. Read on.......

Thanks also for the update for the 
Horticulture Action Group. I will let people know the postponement by posting it on www.HortiTrends.com It is going to be important for the group to communicate on a regular basis what they are trying to achieve so that all stakeholders in horticulture can get behind them. Is the action group a closed shop or can others get involved? I would be interested and willing to give time. Have the likes of Pat Fitzgerald been asked to participate as if its exports that will help save this country then he is a very valuable asset to have. What about the new and young guy's from Freestyle Nurseries. Peter Donegan who has a lot to say and has new ideas about our sector. Some new blood and thinking from all interested sectors will be of great benefit to this new action group.

On a separate note.

I am constantly begging for news and information. I think I know and you think you know that the staff in the Horticulture department of Bord Bia are busy but there is a negative perception out there towards many civil servants at the moment that they are doing nothing. I am providing an opportunity to communicate with the people that they serve. At the moment there are not so many news outlets interested so why not use us? It costs nothing. As it was recently pointed out in a blog by Peter Donegan that the last horticulture newsletter sent out was in early 2009 http://blog.doneganlandscaping.com/2010/11/17/bord-bia-promote/. Why just one? It might also take pressure of everyone as now their achievements are being recognised and reported. If its any consolation Bord Bia may be bad but Teagasc are worse in communicating outputs and deliverables. I have even considered the freedom of information act to see how I can get news of these guys. On the other hand I have Dutch and UK organisations showering me with news and information they want us to publish. Do the Dutch know something we don't? 

Maybe a Wikileaks for Horticulture might be a good thing! Anyway thats my rant, my frustration as a new business start-up. I won't have to march this week as I have got that of my chest but I am going to stick at this until the very end because the system and the people have to change at every level including me and how I communicate with users of the website. No more holding back on information or being afraid to be skeptical or critical of the status quo. I have been at a conference recently where members of the audience are rolling the eyes in their head as the usual speel is given out by those charged with the development of our sector. You might share this email with others as if it inspires them to justify themselves then that is a good thing just as long as they also provide me with some useful news or information about what they have done for horticulture in Ireland this week or this month and then I will publish it. The civil servants need to realise that one way to serve the people who still manage to make a living out of horticulture is by communicating with them. 

Up Horticulture and Up Ireland!

    



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Joseph Blair
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1 Dec 2010

Belleek Forest Enhancements

Minister of State Connick opens Enhanced Forest Recreational Facilities at Belleek Forest, Co. Mayo

Seán Connick TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, today opened enhanced forest recreational facilities at Belleek Wood, Ballina, Co Mayo, which were developed under the NeighbourWood Scheme operated by his Department.

He warmly congratulated Coillte for developing the facilities, in partnership with the Belleek Enhancement Committee and Mayo County Council, at the Forest including a wheelchair friendly route which stretches along the main walking path of this wonderful local amenity at Belleek Forest.

Minister of State Connick commented "This project was approved for funding under the NeighbourWood Scheme administered by my Department.  This scheme is aimed at promoting the development, through local partnerships, of attractive 'close-to-home' woodlands for public use and enjoyment.  The Belleek Enhancement Committee is a perfect example of the concept of 'development through local partnerships' as I understand that it works to ensure that Belleek Woods meets the recreation needs of the wider local community".  Referring to the development of the wheelchair accessible walk, he added, "In this, the 50th year of the Irish Wheelchair Association, today's opening of a completely wheelchair accessible forest walk here in Belleek Wood is a fitting way to celebrate it."

The Minister of State also noted the measures taken in Belleek Wood to halt the decline in the native red squirrel population, such as the preservation of red squirrel habitats and the diversity of trees in Belleek thus providing a nature reserve for the red squirrel.

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Joseph Blair
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1 Dec 2010

An tSli Glas Could Create 10,000 Jobs

An tSli Glas could create 10,000 jobs 
SourceBusiness World
---------------------------------------------------
Over 10,000 jobs could be created over the next five years from the An tSli Glas (The Green Way) project - the country's first green economic zone, according to a spokesman for the organisation. 

An tSli Glas -The Green Way is a green economic corridor initiated by a powerful alliance of businesses, academic institutions and local authorities including Ballymun Regeneration, Dublin Airport Authority, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology, Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and North Dublin Chamber. The goal is to position Ireland as a centre of Cleantech innovation and enterprise which will link business to investors and develop trade partnerships with other major international green corridors. 

"Ireland is extremely well placed to become a global innovation hub. Against the backdrop of the serious economic and financial crisis, and the implementation of austerity measures in many countries, I am more convinced than ever that innovation is the key to a stable European economy, to growth and job creation," said European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn. 

She spoke at a reception hosted by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of Dublin City University, one of the academic institutions involved in the tSli-Ghlas partnership which also includes Ballymun Regeneration, Dublin Airport Authority, Dublin Institute of Technology, Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and North Dublin Chamber. 

The Commissioner continued: "Ireland has the second largest goods trade surplus in the entire EU. And Irish exports are growing - in the third quarter of this year, overall exports showed an annual rise of around 10 per cent. Irish people are among the most resourceful, dynamic and creative in the world". 

"I am confident "the Commissioner continued, "that Ireland will recover its fighting spirit and seek out and capitalise on opportunities to build a new economy. An economy built on innovation." 

Tony Boyle, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the An tSli Ghlas -The Green Way said: "The overall potential of the Green Way, which builds on our existing assets and infrastructure, is that it can assist in the transformation of our economy. It will, and has already started to, create jobs in the Cleantech sector, which is the largest job and wealth creation opportunity of the 21st century". 

Recruitment is underway for a CEO and Operations Director. 

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Joseph Blair
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1 Dec 2010

Ireland's Landscaping Industry is an Economic Lifesaver

Landscaping in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic was "vibrant and vital" to horticulture and the Emerald Isle, said agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew, speaking at the recent annual awards of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland.

"In spite of the pressure of the recession, the role of the sector in creating useable and uplifting public spaces should not be underestimated," said Gildernew. "There are many challenges, but there is a lot to be positive about."

The overall winner, awarded the Bog Oak trophy, was Peter O'Brien & Sons, which landscaped the Point Village commercial and residential development in Dublin. Portadown-based Clive Richardson won praise for a sports pitch at Croke Park, and Landscape Centre at Ballyclare won plaudits for its walled garden at Bangor Castle.

The awards were presented by Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland chair Steven Thompson.

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Joseph Blair
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30 Nov 2010

2011 Exhibitor List

Regards
Joseph Blair
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