Beacon Farm Project meeting at Killua Castle and Farm
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Anthony Gilsenan, manager of Killua Farm, Lorena Krause, owner of Killua Castle/Farm, and Christopher and Helen Kelly, Lough Bishop House.Image 2 of 5
Daniel and Darina Allen, Ballymaloe; Richard Dunne from London, founder and director of the Harmony Project, Patrick Holden from Wales, Sustainable Food Trust. Photos: Jay G FordeImage 3 of 5
Daniel Spade, Ballivor, John Curran, chairperson, IFA Rural Development, Joe Kelleher, Teagasc organic specialist, Klaus Krause, Killua, Alicia Clements, Birr Castle Estate.Image 4 of 5
Patrick Holden, Lorena Krause, Alan Krause, Richard Dunne and Cassie McCarthy at Killua Castle on Saturday.Image 5 of 5
Bonnie Welch, Sustainable Food Trust, Peter Michel Heilmann from the Netherlands, and Siobhan Hubbard, Newbard Farm, Waterford.Killua Castle hosted the first meeting in Ireland of the Beacon Farm Project, which aims to further public understanding of the farm to fork concept.
Among the guests at the event on Saturday was Patrick Holden, founder of the sustainable Food Trust, and creator of the Beacon Farm Project.
An educational network, the Beacon Farm Project promotes collaboration, trust, and dialogue in the food and farming community.
The day began with speeches from Mr Holden, Bonnie Welch (head of projects at Beacon) and Richard Dunne of the Harmony Project.
Mr Holden had said: “No one knows where their food comes from these days… we need to change that. Everybody has the right to know how their food is produced.”
A panel discussion later in the day was hosted by Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School and Hannah Alexander of Ballyboley Dexters, and they discussed the potential of expanding Beacon Farms across Ireland.
Lorena Krause of Killua Farm, and farm manager Anthony Gilsenan told guests about how they have worked on sustainable agriculture at the Killua Castle farm, and shared details of the challenges and well as their vision of the future.
In the afternoon, speakers including John Curran of the IFA and Joe Kelleher from Teagasc addressed the financial realities of transitioning to sustainable farming.
Guests from abroad brought a valuable perspective to the event. The Westmeath Examiner spoke to Peter Michel Heilmann from the Netherlands about what he envisages for food systems: “Creating a 1000-year vision for the next generation and so that the farmer can think, what do I wish to achieve in the future. And I give them a road map to get there,” he said.
Mr Heilmann said: “Ireland has some of the highest food prices in Europe, which raises important questions. What if we could make food both healthier and more affordable by sourcing directly from local farmers?”
Bonnie Welch highlighted the UK’s successful Beacon Farms movement and expressed hope for a similar impact in Ireland. “We want farming in harmony with nature, farms that have the facilities to host public events, informing and inspiring members of the public, including school children.”
As the event concluded, guests toured Killua Farm with Klaus Krause.