It was my pleasure to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales to GROW HQ in Waterford with Minister Simon Coveney.
We had a tour of the facilities in the wonderful spring sunshine. The Prince of Wales’ genuine interest and support for sustainable farming, soil health, organics and small-scale mixed family farms was very evident and welcome. An obvious highlight for him was the vegetable garden; an organic & biodiverse garden where head grower Richard manages a zero waste approach.
We engaged in potato planting with school children from the GROW at School Programme, who were assured by the Prince of Wales that nothing tastes better than that which is grown in your own garden. We also met with nurses from University Hospital Waterford who, during the pandemic lockdown, used GIY to promote the important connection between home grown food and health. Overall a very good day for highlighting Irish passion for growing our own.