Small Talk with Carol Marks of Bord Bia
In this month's edition of 'Small Talk,' we dive into the journey of Carol Marks, Sector Manager for Horticulture at Bord Bia, as she shares her passion for plants, the challenges of the industry, and her vision for the future of horticulture in Ireland
Print16 October 2024
In association with Tully Nurseries
At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s horticulture trade. This month’s conversation is with Carol Marks, Sector Manager Horticulture, Bord Bia.
How did you get your start in horticulture?
Having always had a love of plants and nature, ignited when I sowed my first packet of seeds at around aged 6, I applied unsuccessfully for the then ‘Apprenticeship in Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens under the stewardship of Dublin City Council after my intercert (Junior Cert exam).
Following my Leaving Cert, I worked in the Civil Service before going on to have my family and working in the private sector in publishing and journalism. A chance meeting with a mature student at the NBG Student spring plant fair in circa 1997 highlighted to me that revisiting my dream was a possibility.
I was successful in gaining entry and in 1998 I returned to undertake a full time three year course in Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens. During that time I began writing for The Irish Garden Magazine, and on graduating this continued along with working as a gardener in a four acre private garden in South County Dublin for five years.
An opportunity arose to work for Bord Bia on a maternity leave contract, which I felt would open other doors even if it was only for nine months. On her return, my colleague moved within the organisation, and the position I was covering became vacant and following a successful interview process I was recruited into the full time position of Development/Marketing Executive for amenity horticulture, leading to my current position of Sector Manager for Horticulture.
During this time I have been privileged to work with most of the amazing people in the industry and have been involved in many exciting and rewarding projects, including the development of the new Horticulture curriculum, The Invasive Species Project for Ireland, Industry Awards, Trade Shows, The Rare & Special Plant Fair, The International Garden Centre Congress 2014 which brought more than 300 international garden centre and nursery owners to Ireland, Bloom and many more.
What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?
There are many, but possibly seeing the fruits of almost two years of work to bring the first Bloom to the Phoenix Park. With just myself and my colleague initially working on the concept and logistics, then joined by a small team, to see the event up and running in 2007 was both nerve wracking and joyful.
To see how it has grown and developed over the years is testament to the hard work that so many colleagues put into it and to Bord Bia and the industry getting behind it and making it the success it is today.
What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?
The early days and weeks of the Covid pandemic in Ireland when everything started shutting down was probably the most stressful and challenging time in my career to date. But not as stressful as it was for the industry trying to navigate the challenges at the time.
Fielding calls 24/7 from distressed business owners with stock they couldn’t deliver, or sell was heartbreaking. Fortunately, we were able to find opportunities to enable them to overcome some of the challenges, and to witness the resilience and ingenuity of the industry, pivoting to put solutions in place, was awe inspiring.
Give us an example of a recent success you had in your work.
Securing funding for the first HOME GROWN TV programme, showcasing and highlighting Irish horticulture across all its many facets, and seeing it go on to be such a success with both the industry and the viewing public.
And then securing funding for a second series, and a third, which has just completed filming and will air in Spring 2025, giving horticulture the exposure it so deserves.
What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?
Across the board labour challenges are one of the biggest factors facing the industry. Succession and an ageing workforce, with retirements and lack of new entrants into the sector pose a huge challenge.
What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?
With climate change so prominent in the public arena there has never been a better time for the industry to capitalise on ensuring that horticulture gets the recognition it deserves as a sustainable source of healthy food, and for the contribution trees and plants make to the environment.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in horticulture?
Learn, get your qualification, join horticulture societies such as the Irish Garden Plant Society, the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. Attend as many talks as you can and get to know people in the industry – they are some of the most generous people with their time and knowledge you will ever meet. Choose your work placements wisely, and give it your all, it is such a rewarding career and you will never regret having chosen it.
What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?
That it will survive and grow, and to see more young people choosing a career in horticulture.
Bord Bia‘s role is to market and promote Irish food, drink and horticulture to customers worldwide on the basis of sustainability, traceability and quality. Bord Bia developed the Quality Assurance programme to provide proof to customers of these high standards.
Small Talk is produced in association with Tully Nurseries, one of Ireland’s wholesale nurseries supplying landscape contractors, garden centres, DIYs and supermarkets in Ireland and the UK.
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