Field Exchange Brookfield Farm | Tipperary
Presented by Ailbhe Gerrard
Funded by Creative Ireland with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications | Creative Climate Action Fund
Field Exchange programme bringing farmers, artists, agri technical experts and the public together ran initially in 2022. The successful programme brought over 500 participants to Brookfield Farm to learn and share knowledge on organic and sustainable agriculture practices. The project was honoured with First Woman Sabina Higgins coming to launch the programme; and Minister Catherine Martin to speak at the closing conference and Harvest Feast.
The 2022 edition of Field Exchange ran over an intense four-month period, providing spaces for exchanges around 12 different themes on practical solutions for organic farming practices. The desire for a deeper exchange and longitudinal network of farmers and general public was strongly voiced by Field Exchange participants.
We were recently successful in gaining funding for another iteration of Field Exchange in 2024 and 2025, structured around 2 agricultural creativity festivals with artists working with farmers and technical partners.
Field Exchange seeks Creative Farming Ambassadors to share the journey towards sustainability over the next two years. Connect with a supportive network of fellow farmers who share your concerns and cultivate essential skills to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of a changing climate.
Apply here, before 12 Jan 2024: Creative Farming Ambassador
Ten farmers are invited to join a dedicated Community of Practice, focused on sustainable farming practices and skill-building, creatively addressing the challenges through a series of Field Exchange Days and Harvest Gatherings. These capacity-building workshops and visits will take place over two years and offer a unique blend of knowledge, creativity, and community, empowering you to implement positive changes on your farm and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient rural future.
This new Field Exchange iteration, recently successful in achieving funding over 2 years, will be anchored in two major gatherings on Brookfield Farm in 2024 and 2025, each featuring site-specific artworks, agricultural and joyful creative gatherings with a structured focus on developing a longer and more meaningful engagement with farmers and local communities.
To achieve this goal, Field Exchange partners with the Irish Agroforestry Ireland Forum (IAF) and the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland (DSWAI) together with artists’ interventions with artists Ackroyd & Harvey, Uta Kögelsberger, Esther Gerrard (Elements of Action), Gerardine Williams Wisdom. Shorter interventions during the gatherings will be curated and include The Company of Trees - a new music and spoken word performance by Philip Dodd and Bairbre NiChoimh and Michael James Ford.