Talamh Beo, an Irish group that supports local farmers, is asking the government to help farmers who lost important equipment during Storm Éowyn. This storm caused a lot of damage to farms, especially to structures like polytunnels, which are big, plastic-covered tunnels that help plants grow.
About Talamh Beo
Talamh Beo has been active for four years. Their goal is to help Ireland grow its own food by teaching communities how to farm locally. They believe that by doing this, Ireland can have more control over its food supply.
Thomas O’Connor’s Story
Thomas O’Connor is a member of Talamh Beo. He owns Manna Organic Farm on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. His farm supplies fresh produce to his organic food shop in Tralee.
During Storm Éowyn, Thomas’s farm was hit hard. He said, “We got hit hard by the storm, our tunnels were pretty much wiped out. We’ve a pretty big job ahead. The thing is, we aren’t the only ones. This is going to be a big blow for horticulture in Ireland.”
Why Polytunnels Are Important
Polytunnels are essential for farmers like Thomas. They allow farmers to extend their growing season, meaning they can grow crops even when the weather isn’t ideal. Without these tunnels, it’s challenging to provide fresh produce year-round.
Thomas explained, “I lost three tunnels, the majority of my outdoor growing tunnels. In small scale horticulture usually you’ll find people have about a fifth of their growing area in a tunnel. That allows you to extend your season.”
The Call for Government Help
Talamh Beo has started a petition asking the government to support farmers affected by the storm. Many farmers can’t afford insurance for their polytunnels, making repairs costly.
Thomas noted, “It isn’t exactly a money game, the people who tend to be in it, tend to be in it for good quality food, community, and because they like the job that they’re doing.”
Government Response
On January 25, Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, announced that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will help those whose properties were directly affected by Storm Éowyn. This program offers financial support based on the damage and the person’s ability to pay for repairs. However, it doesn’t cover losses already insured or business-related losses.
Conclusion
Storm Éowyn has caused significant challenges for organic farmers in Ireland. Groups like Talamh Beo are working hard to get the necessary support to rebuild and continue providing fresh, local produce to their communities
Story was first published on Agriland
