OGI Events

Green manures are a vital part of organic market garden systems and there is no better person in the country to explore cover crops with than the legendary market gardener and educator Jim Cronin. Jim scarcely needs an introduction but his profile below copied from the Farming for Nature website sums up his life’s work nicely.

A note from Jim on what to expect in the Focus Session on Green Manures

Dear Growers
I had hoped to have at least one acre of green manures on display when ye visited . The one acre is tilled, wet and unworkable. It has now grassed over so no worries . On the day of the visit small plots of green manures will be on display and for discussion lots of details on sowing rates etc. This year demonstrates that green manures are a vital cog in the wheel of organic veg production . Come along for hopefully a stimulating day
Jim.

Jim Cronin has a 16-acres organic market garden farm in Co.Clare where he has been adopting biological agriculture principles for the last 30 years without loosing many of the traditional methods of farming. Jim’s entire farming ethos is seamlessly entwined with nature conservation. Not only does he create a habitat for pollinators and wildlife but also for all the unseen worms and micro-organisms which are fundamental to growing crops and sustaining life above ground. Jim has both a small suckler herd and 2 working horses that both help work the land and provide essential manure for soil fertility.

Jim is both a teacher and a commercial grower of fruit and vegetables. Jim both combines the old traditions with new knowledge and methods based on sound principals as well as proves that one can make a good commercial yield from a small area without compromising nature. “Listen to your heart, yes you have to make money, but every farmer I know is a custodian of the land and intrinsically knows what is best for nature”. HIs knowledge is second to none when it comes to growing horticulture crops and traditional farming practices, such as the use of the horse and plough. He has distilled his farm knowledge down to an exact science and created a bank of wisdom. For example, not only does Jim grow large crops of cosmos and sweet pea to attract pollinators but he is actively encouraging aphid eating insects by growing marigolds through his potatoes. Everything Jim does is a deliberate move to try to harness the resources that nature already offers us in terms of soil health, pest control and crop growth. Most importantly there is the unquestioning fact that he loves what he does and what he does is a truly beautiful way of farming for nature.

This event is limited to 20 attendees, so make sure to book now to avoid missing this great opportunity to learn directly from Jim and catch-up with fellow growers from around the country as the season starts to wind down.