Exciting New Programme Launch: ‘Growing Together’ cross border organic gardening and peace building supported by the International Fund for Ireland 

The summer of 2008 may have been one of the wettest on record but in one corner of North West Ireland people of all ages and backgrounds put on the wellies and plastic trousers and got stuck into some seriously fun organic vegetable growing. The borderlands of Fermanagh, Leitrim and Cavan may not be everyone’s idea of a garden paradise, but with the support of the International Fund for Ireland and the growing expertise of the Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim, the cross border ‘Growing Together’ 2008-2010 programme has bloomed into a thriving local network of women’s, schools and community organic gardens.  “The IFI ‘Growing Together’ Programme has instilled in us the utmost enthusiasm and connection with the soil which our parents and grandparents had as second nature but which our generation has mostly lost. We are also having great fun on the course, making new friendships and we are looking forward hugely to meeting our fellow gardeners at Derrygonnelly in the coming weeks.” Stephanie Maloney, one of the participants on the programme summed up the feeling of everyone in the gardens about a programme that has brought people together from all communities, walks of life and from both sides of the border, working together with shared goals of better community understanding and relations, all through the medium of organic gardening.Over 200 people from the age of eight to 73 years of age are involved in the ‘Growing Together’ Programme.

 Spring 2008 was a busy time with seven primary school gardens, four community gardens and two women’s gardens to set up. The gardens are located in two clusters, one around the Fermanagh-Leitrim border and one around the Fermanagh-Cavan border. Project Manager Andy Hallewell explained: “Making gardens close to each other is part of the sustainability of the programme, for example, it helps reduce the carbon footprint of our outreach gardeners. Once you talk to someone else in the next village about what they’re growing you have the makings of a local food network. These networks enable people to share skills, knowledge, food and even recipes. The current economic climate means more and more people are interested in growing their own food to reduce cost. Cooking sessions are an important part of the programme in helping people make the most of what they grow and getting the different communities together in an informal, relaxed atmosphere.” Peace Building is at the core of the IFI programme and during the quieter winter months the participants will talk with each other in greater depth about the issues and challenges of living in the border counties in the early 21^st century. The programme has also received additional generous support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, County Leitrim Partnership and Polden Puckham Charitable Foundation.The ‘Growing Together’ Programme Launch takes place on Friday 24^th October at the Market House in Blacklion, County Cavan. For more details please contact Andy Hallewell at the Organic Centre 00353 (0)719824338 or email andy@theorganiccentre.ie.