FIELD EXCHANGE BROOKFIELD FARM | TIPPERARY - 2024 + 2025

 

 

Field Exchange unites farmers, creatives, and experts, creating a collaborative space to share knowledge and devise solutions for the challenges confronting farmers and rural communities in a shifting climate. 

Field Exchange 2024-2025 is our ambitious 2-year project structured around two agricultural creativity festivals with artists working with farmers and technical partners.

  

FIELD EXCHANGE HARVEST GATHERING

 

Our Field Exchange Festival open to the public takes place on Brookfield Farm, 31st August - 1st September 2024 12-5pm each day.

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• Ackroyd & Harvey explore the intersection of history and ecology through photosynthesis artworks.
• "The Company of Trees" is a musical and literary celebration of trees' life cycles and impacts.
• Esther Gerrard from Elements of Action collaborates with the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland on moss + stone installations that blend nature with architecture.

SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST 2024 EVENTS

Learn about our Community of Practice and enjoy art and performances throughout the day!

Time	Lakeside Farm Tent
12.00	Festival Opens
	Visual Arts opening, music performances, feasting, craft demonstrations, workshops, discussions, farm walks, guest speakers and more!  Enjoy: - agroforestry demonstrations, - CELT Workshops with craftworkers: Dee Synott Woodturning  Sean Walsh Súgán chairs Sky Maria Leather Tanning - panel discussions,  - farm walks, - guest speakers, - visual arts, - music performances, - crafts, - local food, and - site specific Dry Stone Wall demo.
16.00	Company of Trees Performance The Company of Trees is a new music and spoken word production by Michael James Ford and Philip Dodd. It is performed by Susannah De Wrixon, Michael James Ford, Kyle Hixon and the Delmaine String Quartet, and also features photographic and video images by Brendan Keogh. The Company of Trees celebrates trees in literature and music - an opportunity to reflect on our long and complex relationship with the magnificent and endangered forest world. The Company of Trees will journey through the natural cycle from planting to maturity, exploring trees' emotional, aesthetic, environmental and philosophical impact on our daily lives. All the performers share an interest in the natural world and a deep concern for its future in times of unprecedented threat. We sincerely hope that The Company of Trees will entertain, inform, provoke and, above all, raise awareness of a relationship that cannot be taken for granted.
17:00	Festival Closes on Lakeside location for Saturday
Time   18.00	Kings Hill (Barn) Art opening Ackroyd & Harvey  A new opening by renowned artists Ackroyd & Harvey  The exhibition will feature portraits of Tipperary farmers and a tree - made from a living grass canvas
19.00	Celebratory Dinner (Separately ticketed)

SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2024 EVENTS

Time	Lakeside Farm Tent
12.00	Festival Opens
	We offer Visual Arts, music performances, feasting, craft demonstrations, workshops, discussions, farm walks, guest speakers and more!  Enjoy: - agroforestry demonstrations, - CELT Workshops with craftworkers: Dee Synott Woodturning  Sean Walsh Súgán chairs Sky Maria Leather Tanning - panel discussions,  - farm walks, - guest speakers, - visual arts, - music performances, - crafts, - local food, and - site specific Dry Stone Wall demo.
16.00	Company of Trees Performance The Company of Trees is a new music and spoken word production by Michael James Ford and Philip Dodd. It is performed by Susannah De Wrixon, Michael James Ford, Kyle Hixon and the Delmaine String Quartet, and also features photographic and video images by Brendan Keogh. The Company of Trees celebrates trees in literature and music - an opportunity to reflect on our long and complex relationship with the magnificent and endangered forest world. The Company of Trees will journey through the natural cycle from planting to maturity, exploring trees' emotional, aesthetic, environmental and philosophical impact on our daily lives. All the performers share an interest in the natural world and a deep concern for its future in times of unprecedented threat. We sincerely hope that The Company of Trees will entertain, inform, provoke and, above all, raise awareness of a relationship that cannot be taken for granted.
17:00	Festival Closes on Lakeside location for Sunday

FESTIVAL INFO

LOCATION

Field Exchange takes place on Brookfield Farm located on the shores of Lough Derg in Co. Tipperary. Farm festival entrance by Eircode - E45 W599.

Parking is available near the venue. | A steward will be present to direct parking.

 

ABOUT THE ORGANISERS

This two year innovation project, is led by farmer and creative climate ambassador Ailbhe Gerrard, with coaching and expertise provided by Davie Philip and Cultivate.

We are working in collaboration with the Irish Agroforestry Forum, and Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland.

Contributions from renowned international and Irish artists include Ackroyd and Harvey, The Company of Trees, designers Elements of Action - Esther Gerrard, and others.

 

EVENT SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

Field Exchange is one of 43 Creative Climate Action Fund projects taking place across the country. 

Field Exchange is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme. It is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in collaboration with the Department of the Taoiseach. The fund supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empower citizens to make meaningful behavioural transformations.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a five-year programme which connects people, creativity and wellbeing. It is an all-of-government culture and wellbeing programme that inspires and transforms people, places and communities through creativity. The programme is committed to the vision that every person in Ireland should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential.
Further information on the Climate Action Fund is available at the following link: www.creativeireland.gov.ie

CREATIVE FARMING AMBASSADORS - COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Ten farmers have joined 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 the two Festivals.

These capacity-building workshops and visits take place over two years and offer a unique blend of knowledge, creativity, and community, empowering participants to implement positive changes on their farms and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient rural future.

FIELD EXCHANGE DAYS INCLUDE:

• Ecology and Biodiversity: Explore the intricate relationship between farming practices, ecology and sustainability. Engage with artists to incorporate creative expressions that foster a holistic approach to nature. 
• Wellbeing and Resilience: Strengthening personal well-being and community resilience. 
• Agroforestry: Discover successful methods of integrating trees into agricultural practices through the exploration of agroforestry.
• Working with the Local Food System: Learn strategies for effective collaboration within the local food system to enhance sustainability of your farm.
• Creative Imagination for Problem Solving: Cultivate innovative thinking to address challenges faced in sustainable agriculture and rural communities
• Building Dry Stone Walls: Develop essential skills in the craft of Dry Stone Wall construction, contributing to farm infrastructure.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for sustainable agriculture and creative farming.