press release… press release… press release
release date: 28th January 2010
CAFRE Flies the LEAF Flag!
Long standing member of LEAF, CAFRE, has become the first farm in
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has been a member of LEAF for many years. They have a very long standing tradition in providing outstanding natural resources and practical training and technology transfer for those entering or already working in the NI Agri-Food industry. The college estate comprises three campuses with over 1100 ha of land as well as a wide range of up to date facilities at its Horticulture Development Centre.
Presenting the college with their LEAF Marque plaque earlier today, LEAF’s Chief Executive,
“I am delighted to be presenting CAFRE with this LEAF Marque plaque. It demonstrates many years of hard work and represents their commitment to sustainable farming, which permeates throughout the Campuses – not only on its farming and horticulture enterprises but also throughout its training courses. We look forward to building on our strong partnership with CAFRE to encourage other farms in
Speaking at the presentation, John Fay, CAFRE Director, added:
“We are very proud to have achieved LEAF Marque status. Our involvement with LEAF is a long one and we have continually striven to incorporate sustainability into the programmes we offer students, farmers and the industry. The LEAF Marque clearly demonstrates the range of skills and innovative technology we have to offer here at CAFRE,”
Notes to Editors:
1. Caption for picture: John Fay College Director accepting the LEAF Marque Award from Caroline Drummond. Looking on is Roy McClenaghan Deputy Secretary of the Dept. of Agriculture for
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is a charitable organisation, set up in 1991 to help growers improve their business performance while forging a better understanding of farming among the general public. This is done through a network of Demonstration Farms and Innovation Centres and Open Farm Sunday where members of the public can see farming best practice in action.
2. The LEAF Marque is applicable to all sectors of agriculture. LEAF Marque is working with other assurance schemes to offer an environmental ‘add on’ for farmers wanting to demonstrate their environmental credentials.
3. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise was formed in 2004 by the amalgamation of 3 colleges in Northern Ireland
The CAFRE Estate is made up of:
· The Farm Development Centre, a 160 hectare mixed lowland farm with 180 dairy cows and replacements. It also has 200 ewes and includes 30 hectares of arable crops and potatoes.
· The Livestock Development Centre located at the Abbey Farm which is a 90 hectare lowland unit with 50 suckler cows and 200 finishing cattle plus the 1,000 hectare Hill Farm comprising 110 suckler cows and 1,100 ewes.
· The Organic Unit, which is a 36 hectare lowland farm with 25 suckler cows, 75 ewes and 4 hectares of crops.
· A Renewables Crops area which consists of 30ha devoted to renewable crop production at Loughry Campus
· Enniskillen Campus which has 125ha of grassland for horses as Enniskillen Campus concentrates on Equine courses.
4. More information on CAFRE is available www.cafre.ac.uk
5. More information on LEAF is available from LEAF, The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7641 3911 Fax: 024 7641 3636 email: enquiries@leafuk.org www.leafuk.org
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