Joe Cooney TD with Minister of State Jerry Buttimer and Orlaigh Thompson.
AN INJECTION of €115,000 to the local economy was given by the Irish Seed Savers Association in 2024.
Scariff based Irish Seed Savers welcomed Junior Minister for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer (FG) to their heritage orchard and seed gardens on Thursday last.
Chair of the Board Dermot Grogan and Executive Director Elaine Bradley were among the first to welcome the Junior Minister for what was his first visit to Scariff and the Seed Savers since his appointment at the end of January.
Rural development, sustainable jobs, social enterprise, just transitions, climate change, biodiversity loss and its impact on food systems were among the items discussed with Buttimer.
Last year, the Irish Seed Savers spent €115,000 directly in the local economy through trade with local businesses, with a further €540,000 of indirect spending through wages. In a small rural economy where it is estimated that each euro turns over approximately 1.8 times, ISSAs financial input effectively doubles its initial contribution, fostering robust economic activity.
Executive Director Elaine Bradley explained, “ISSA is small local organisation operating nationally and internationally with a big mandate and impact. We are tasked with the conservation of Ireland’s food crop heritage. Our work is written into the National Biodiversity Action Plan and contributes towards Ireland’s fulfilment of the UN International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture”.
She said that despite the national and international dimension to its work, the Seed Savers remains rooted in rural Clare. “We are proud of our association with Scariff and East Clare where we act as vital economic and social anchor, adding to the wealth and vitality of the local community in a symbiotic relationship’ says Bradley. ‘We are the largest local employer in an area historically beset with unemployment, immigration and rural depopulation. As a social enterprise our focus is on the creation of sustainable jobs with career progression opportunities”.
Through the Seed Savers’ work with conservation, organics and farming for nature, it models the possibilities of sustainable food systems that are economically viable. “We are situated in the heart of a farming community and have nothing but respect for those doing their best to eke out a living, often on poor land with inhospitable conditions,” Elaine said.
Speaking in Scariff, the Junior Minister stated that he was able “to see first-hand the work and dedication of staff and volunteers that has enabled this inspiring project to grow. As a social enterprise they work to improve the lives of people, their core objectives achieve social, societal and environmental impacts.
“I commend Irish Seed Savers for the crucial work they do in conserving and protecting Ireland’s food crop heritage for future generations, and for the role they have in educating in areas such as agro-ecology, biodiversity and regenerative farming techniques. Preserving heritage plants is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, food security, and cultural heritage. The seeds and heritage fruit trees securely contained here represent a link to the past, connecting us to our ancestors and their agricultural practices”.
He was joined by Clare TD, Joe Cooney (FG), Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr Conor Ryan (FG) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) in East Clare before attending a meeting with representatives from TFI Local Link Limerick Clare on bus stop infrastructure, responsive services and the continued Connecting Ireland roll out, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) and Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) were also present for this engagement.
