Patricia named a growing champion

A Virginia woman who goes "above and beyond" at the Virginia health centre where she works, has been named amongst six Get Ireland Growing Champions from all across the country.

Patricia Moore efforts in encouraging the residents at Virginia Community Health Centre to get involved in growing their own food were recognised in the competition run by GIY and Energia.

As the seed and information packs on Get Ireland Growing 2021 were distributed across the country these new food growers took up the challenges of the competition and today, six winners have been identified. Each of the new champions has been awarded funding from Energia to enable them to further develop each of their food growing projects.

“After a tough year at our Nursing Home the residents water and weed and help maintain the vegetable boxes," says Patricia. "Those that can't help comment on the growth of the tomatoes, lettuces, radishes, chives etc. Thinned lettuce leaves go to the kitchen that prepares their salad at tea time.

"One resident who finds purpose hard has taken on a whole new role where he waters the hanging baskets now. It has brought a new light happy summery air to our residential unit.”

Founder of GIY Michael Kelly says the uptake from the competition was enormous, “We are thrilled with the huge levels of interest from all corners of Ireland in growing food. Within 24 hours of announcing Get Ireland Growing 2021, we had twice as many people as last year register. At GIY we know that the Pandemic has really seen an uplift in the public’s interest in health and sustainability and it is heartening to see this interest continue to grow.”