Organic Trust Limited -  2010 AGM

Event | 01 Oct 2010

The 2010 AGM of the Organic Trust took place on Sunday November 7th 2010 at The Grain Store, Ballymaloe, Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork. Complete details of this remarkable venue are available at www.thegrainstoreatballymaloe.com - click on above title for more information!

Organic Trust Limited -  2010 AGM image
Matthew Dillon, a Keynote Speaker for the 2010 AGM of the Organic Trust Ltd, together with Darina Allen of Ballymaloe and Organic Trust members in the walled gardens at Ballymaloe! Photo courtesy of Jan Van Soest, Kenmare Photos

The Grain Store is the latest addition to Ballymaloe House - Ballymaloe House, Gardens & Farm is organically certified by the Organic Trust Ltd.  The Grain Store is a beautiful 17th century farmyard building that was delicately converted into an elegant multi-purpose venue. 

The morning session of the AGM (which dealt with Organic Trust business) was confined to members of the Organic Trust Ltd. 

The afternoon session (2 pm onwards) was open to the public and the Organic Trust were very pleased that Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School & Farm performed the official opening with a very inspirational speech which dealt with the reasons for converting to organic production; the development of their organic enterprises over the past decade and plans for the future.  Ballymaloe is a long-term symbol holder with Organic Trust Ltd and produces a vast array of organic products - some of which are used in the Ballymaloe Cookery School with the remainder being sold at local farmers markets.

The first Keynote Speaker for the afternoon session was the renowned Matthew Dillon of the Organic Seed Alliance, USA whom
the Organic Trust were delighted to welcome to Ireland!

Matthew Dillon was the founding director of the Organic Seed Alliance and the Alliance’s first executive director from 2003-2007.  The Organic Seed Alliance is a public non-profit organisation that engages in education, research and advocacy with farmers to develop regenerative, farmer-oriented, and ethical seed systems. The OSA educate farmers in the fundamentals of seed production and of plant breeding, and then connect farmers with university and private sector professionals to engage in participatory breeding projects, enterprise development (including the launch of farmer seed cooperatives) and variety trial networks. The OSA describe their work as “Creating Community Seed Systems.”

Whilst reforming and addressing the problems evident in the dominant seed industry and intellectual property systems is considered absolutely necessary, Organic Seed Alliance also believe that it is an equal priority to help farmers reinvest their energies and skills in seed systems. The OSA is aware that this proactive work is at times lost in the constant activities necessitated by fighting against biopiracy, patents, consolidation in seed, and GMO contamination, yet the OSA fully appreciates that it is the creative work which reinvigorates communities.

Matthew Dillon’s current focus within the Organic Seed Alliance is on issues of intellectual property and farmers’ rights, consolidation and competition in the seed industry, genetic contamination and the principles, values and benefits of organic seed systems. Prior to OSA, Matthew was the Executive Director of Abundant Life Seed Foundation, an heirloom seed conservation organisation.

The Organic Trust Ltd felt privileged to welcome Matthew Dillon as a Keynote Speaker at the 2010 AGM which was held on Sunday November 7th 2010.

The Organic Trust were also delighted to introduce the second Keynote Speaker for the afternoon session of the AGM - Alan Cunningham, General Manager of the Different Dairy Company Ltd who shared his experiences of the launch of their Organic For Us range of dairy products - watch out for these exciting new products which are certified by Organic Trust Ltd!   Alan’s comprehensive presentation dealt with the reasons why Donegal Creameries plc decided to venture into the organic market; an outline of their proposed marketing strategies and their hopes for their future organic range.  Alan’s informative and up-to-the-minute presentation was very well received by attendees.

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