Our second Climate Action Days workshop was concluded last Tuesday in the Organic Centre. What better place to reflect on all the topics covered during the days and present the results of the work done with the TY students of the Lough Allen College. In the Organic Centre, the students had the opportunity to learn about organic farming and good practices on how to preserve our environment. And since it was very sunny and warm – even if it was just the end of February – we had a lovely day outdoors!
The students during the tour of the Organic Centre. Phil shows how to grow plants inside a polytunnel. The students plant seeds of kale and beetroot.
After enjoying an ice-breaker with the students just before to start the tour, we met Phil Wheal that presented us the activities of the Organic Centre and guided us through the greenhouses, crops, and orchards around. Despite most of the fields were fallow and trees still empty, we had the opportunity to see flowers around so to have the first taste of spring.
First, we went inside a polytunnel where Phil explained to us how to produce compost and why it make naturally good soil. Then he showed us different kind of plants that they grow there and finally, he involved the students in planting seeds of kale and beetroot. After filling the seedling trays with soil, they put the seeds and then watered them and let there to grow. Maybe the students won’t see the plants grow but we are sure they did a good job!

Then Phil showed us how to merge two branches in order to graft an apple tree, and he brought us in the orchard where even if it is still winter trees started to bloom. As soon as the tour was concluded we went back to Centre, where Clare Templar was waiting for us. She was in charge of the lunch, for which she cooked nice meals with organic produce. We had baked potatoes and meat, a beans soup, and a tempting colourful salad.

After that, the students presented the results of their projects. There were four working groups: “The Binmen” built bins to put in the school in order to collect recyclable waste; “The Turbine Turners” carried out interviews to know local people opinions about wind turbines; “Recipes from Leftovers” proposed recipes to avoid food waste; and “It’s Ofishial” explained why we should reduce plastic to avoid oceans pollution.

We were very pleased to see what the students did, and we hope it was worth for them. Now we got much more experience in working with students, so we are looking forward to involving a new school!