Learning Theatre lineup for GLAS 2024

All Bord Bia Learning Theatre presentations at GLAS take place upstairs from the main entrance lobby

Horticulture

Read More: Bord Bia GLAS 2024 Learning Theatre

8 July 2024

In the dynamic landscape of the horticulture industry, 2024 brings both challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the sector.

Below is the the Learning Theatre lineup at this year’s GLAS, proudly supported by Bord Bia. Attendees can look forward to talks from leading experts on some of the hottest topics in the industry.

Timetable

10am – 10.30am

An update on the Horticulture Apprenticeships in Teagasc

Presented by John Mulhern, Teagasc

11am – 11.30am

Ensuring Success for your Gardening business on Social Media

Presented by Niall McCauley (Niall Gardens)

12pm – 12.30pm

IPSOS Bord Bia Value of the Garden Market 2023 Report

Presented by Shauna Lyndsay & Michal Slawski, Bord Bia

1pm – 1.30pm

Fingal County Council ‘Coming home to nature’ Show Garden – Bord Bia Bloom 2024

Presented by Nicola Haines, Tierney Haines Architects & Ingrid Smyth Garden Design

This show garden was directly linked to new design guidance for building developers demonstrating how biodiversity can be incorporated into housing developments. The design managed rainwater using sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), while also catering for tree and shrub planting, wildflower meadows, nesting facilities in building facades, green roofs, dead wood, and natural play. The show garden claimed five prizes in total, including a Gold medal, Best in large category and a Special award for sustainability.

Nicola works as a landscape designer with Tierney Haines Architects. She works on all scales of public, commercial and private projects, as well as community-based and educational gardens. As an enthusiastic member of the Garden Landscape Design Association (GLDA), Nicola is passionate about connecting people to nature through design. She has won numerous awards at Bord Bia Bloom, including a gold medal and Best in Category award for her Citroën Power of One garden last year.

Ingrid Smyth Garden Design (ISGD) is design and plant focused service. Her past experience in design was honed as a designer and company associate with a prominent architectural firm and her continued passion for plants and materials constantly informs the work she does. Ingrid has designed and constructed private gardens of all sizes, gardens for residential care homes and commercial projects. She is the current chairperson of the GLDA.

2pm – 2.45pm

Beyond Peat – Panel Discussion

While the Irish horticultural industry fully appreciates the environmental importance of Irish peatlands it is still grappling with a peat crisis. The sudden cessation of harvesting in 2021 of high quality Irish peat, traditionally used in growing media for plant production, necessitating a shift to more sustainable alternatives.

The horticulture sector is actively exploring alternatives to peat as a growing medium, with materials such as wood-based products, green compost, coir and others emerging as options under consideration.

Moderator

Anna Kavanagh, Horticultural Expert and former Head of Technical, Quality and Research Development with Bord Na Mona

Featuring

Eoghan Corbett, Teagasc

William Bailey, Klasmann-Deilmann

Brendan Howell, ICL

3pm – 3.30pm

Ireland’s approach to Plant Health and Biosecurity

Presented by Dr. Deirdre Fay, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Attendance is free and on a first come first served basis

Read More: Bord Bia GLAS 2024 Learning Theatre