County Kerry organic farmstay, Ireland
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Gortbrack Organic Farm promises to continue to uphold the values it has promoted for the last 20 years. That is to promote and supply organic food, especially vegetables, and to develop a diverse range of habitats to show that man and nature can live together in a sustainable way. This includes measures to harvest water and use alternative energy options. Our main focus is the preservation of wild areas to allow for a whole host of wildlife including foxes ,badgers field mice, voles etc. whilst the increased habitats have encouraged a great variety of native bird species from the smallest goldcrests and wrens to the hunting birds - sparrow hawks and kestrels and many in between including wetland species such as herons and mallard.
Of major concern has been the planting of many trees. this has allowed for a big increase in biodiversity because not only have we created a native woodland habitat but also the shelter created has allowed for a large increase in other habitats that could not survive in the previous windswept degraded environment. Our ponds used for many farm activities -mainly irrigation ( and including flushing the toilets) host a huge variety of small amphibians ,insects and bird life.
Community
We promise to continue with our educational work - with schools community groups, day care centres, and individuals to continue to promote the natural environment and the importance of our effect on it and to continue to plan and develop environmentally sustainable productive spaces within our community.
We run courses for the local community on the farm and also work in the design and implementation stages of developing environmentally sustainable food producing gardens off the farm.
Our school work involves the development of 'living classrooms' in the school grounds where students can learn directly from nature the importance of environmentally sustainable practices - it's fun too! We have and continue to work on the development of educational programmes for schools including a DVD which is every school in the state and a book helping teachers to integrate the garden into the curriculum.
We work in community groups too helping to set up organic gardens, and promote the idea of bringing 'useful gardening back into the heart of communities rather than the huge energy spent on cosmetic gardening.
Promotion of mental health is a major part of our work. Nature Deficiency Disorder is a currently popular term often used in relation to school children but equally relevant to adults and so we work alot in Psychiatric day care centres as this type of work is seen as very positive and as a step towards integration back into the community.
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