Dynamic north Meath gardeners launch Grow it Yourself group

A Grow it Yourself (GIY) group has recently been established in North Meath offering local people advice and expertise on growing their own organic food in their gardens or allotments. North Meath GIY was launched last month in Ballinlough, hosted by the Gardeners Dynamic group, and guest speakers on the night were Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent, and Sean Corrigan from GIY Balbriggan. There was a great turnout of about 60 people, some travelling from as far as Cavan and Trim, and a lively discussion ensued. The next meeting of North Meath GIY takes place in the Halfway House, Ballinlough, on Tuesday, 23rd February at 8pm. GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland is a non-profit organisation which promotes and facilitates amateur food growing. Their mission is to encourage people from all walks of life and of all ages to grow their own food in their home allotment or community garden and to provide them with the practical skills they need to do so successfully. GIY group activities include monthly meetings, talks and demos, garden visits, seed and seedling swaps, produce bartering, mentor panels and growers meitheals. GIY activities are free and open to people interested in food growing at all levels, from growing a few herbs on a balcony to complete self sufficiency, from beginners to old hands. Since the launch of GIY Ireland in Waterford in September 2009, almost 50 GIY groups have been established around Ireland with an average of 50 members in each group. Prior to the launch, the target was to establish 30 groups within 12 months. GIY Ireland has a network of enthusiastic "local champions" around Ireland who are running GIY groups voluntarily with the help of a steering group and with support from GIY Ireland. "With our economy in a perilous state and increasing concerns about the quality of our food system, there is unprecedented interest in producing organic food in back gardens, allotments and community gardens. Unfortunately, right at the time it would be most useful, there is a deficit of practical expertise about growing food. As individuals and as a society we have lost the necessary knowledge and skills that a generation ago were taken for granted. GIY Ireland is a non-profit organisation which promotes and facilitates amateur food growing," said local GIY 'champion' Lil Coyne.