In a world where the majority of horticultural crops are imported, this Exchange aims to take a different perspective, and demonstrate how a completely new product can be produced from local crops. This Exchange will feature a presentation and discussion from Pat Fitzgerald and Con Traas on the production of fruit and interesting new crops like yacon. We consider how new, saleable products can be produced at local level to help increase farm incomes. 

Participants must be over 18. We cannot refund if cancellation is within 1 week of the course.

Expert
Pat Fitzgerald & Con Traas
Artist: Deidre O'Mahony

Pat Fitzgerald (CEO & Founder at Beotanics, Ireland)
Pat Fitzgerald is internationally recognised as an innovator in the plant industry. From early in his career Pat has served as chairman of Ireland’s Nursery Association, and as a member of the European Nursery Association Committee. Pat has led Beotanics to win many international awards through his extensive work in horticulture. As an innovator in International horticulture, Pat has proven his ability to develop and produce new plant varieties for international markets and work with other breeders in maximising their genetics. Pat has a keen interest in utilising these established skills to produce innovative and commercially viable crops that answer many societal needs. Pat’s overall responsibility is for strategic management of product and strategic client development for Beotanics. 

Beotonics: ''As a team, we discover and develop plants with exceptional ingredient potential, devise sustainable growing systems for secure and viable production, and collaborate with clients to deliver the benefits to the consumer in the best possible way. We work hard using our own developed resources and industry collaboration to bring market opportunity and unique crop varieties and together to ensure our crops have take off opportunities in advance of planting.''

Cornelius “Con” Traas (The Apple Farm, Cahir, Co Tipperary)
Con Traas runs The Apple Farm, a 60ac farm at Moorestown near Cahir in South Tipperary. As well as apples, they grow pears, plums, sweet cherries, strawberries and raspberries. They also have a Camping and Caravan Park on the farm. The Apple Farm makes apple juice and mixed juices from our other fruits; all done on-site. They even make sparkling apple juice and cider vinegar. The farm employs 20 people, including a full-time horticulturist. Con also works off-farm as a part-time lecturer in plant physiology, horticulture and biology at the University of Limerick.