Brideswell farm features on new radio documentary
“Healthy soils are the foundation for food, fuel, fibre and even medicine,” the words of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation as they announced 2015 as the International Year of Soil.
The initiative emphasises the importance of soil when more than 33% of global soil resources are in danger and under threat.
With that in mind, Athlone Community Radio has produced a new documentary ‘Soil Talks’ charting the changes in the land at Hillside Organic Farm in Brideswell from August to November, and following in particular, the progress of allotments set up by the Junction Project in Ballinasloe.
The programme, made with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will air this evening (Tuesday, December 15) from 6pm to 7pm on Athlone Community Radio.
Presenters Sean and Helen Butler from Hillside Organic Farm in Brideswell will guide listeners through the growing year aided by guest speakers, Paula Sharkey herbalist, John Brennan, an organic food activist and Suzanne Dempsey, who is Environmental Officer in Roscommon County Council.
The programme is also enriched by a contribution from the storyteller Johnny Johnston, who recalls old Irish customs in relation to the land and harvest, as well as a wonderful recitation of ‘The Ploughman’ by Patrick Kavanagh.
The leaders and the participants of the Junction Project in Ballinasloe also share their life changing experience on the show building a tunnel and allotments, planting vegetables in the ground and potatoes in the tyres. The group later enjoy a tasty stew with their produce at the end of the recordings.
Subjects like importance of compost and healthy soil for agro-ecology, food waste, the role of the tiger worm role for healthy soil and lots more are explored in the show, due to broadcast this evening (Tuesday, December 15) from 6pm to 7pm on Athlone Community Radio 88.4FM.
‘Soil Talks’ is produced by Athlone Community Radio with the support of BAI’s Sound and Vision Funding Scheme. Sound by Johnny Callaghan, Producer and Editor Irena Cvetkovic.