Mullingar native and RTÉ ‘Climate Hero’ Anna Browne will represent the Flower Farmers of Ireland (FFoI) at the upcoming Bloom festival. Browne, known for her commitment to sustainable horticulture, will take the Garden Stage on Monday, June 3, at 2:15 PM to discuss ‘Growing Pollinator-Friendly Cut Flowers’. She will also collaborate with fellow FFoI members from the east coast and midlands regions at their stand in the Nursery Village (Stand No. 16).
Attendees can look forward to a selection of fresh Irish-grown flowers, plants, dried flower items, and detailed information about the association’s goals and activities.
Bord Bia Bloom is a prestigious event celebrating horticulture, food, and drink, with an emphasis on nature and sustainable living. Initially established to highlight plants and garden design, Bord Bia has expanded the festival’s scope to include food and drink, making it a comprehensive educational and cultural experience. Visitors can gain practical insights on a wide range of topics, including gardening, fruit and vegetable cultivation, cooking, and cultural practices.
Anna Browne’s passion for plants began on her family’s farm by Lough Owel and endured through her career in IT. Now, she dedicates her time to hands-on farming and educational initiatives. Browne conducts workshops and courses at The Refill Mill, Cúige Studios, Westmeath County Libraries, and other venues. Her ‘Lake County Learnings’ series, funded by the Westmeath Arts Office, is currently in its successful second run, making her classes accessible to a broader audience.
Focused on sustainability, Browne’s events cover diverse topics such as soap-making, sourdough bread-making, composting, and various flower-related subjects. As an active FFoI member, she advocates passionately for locally-grown flowers.
In a new collaboration with the Westmeath Arts Office, Browne will participate in ‘Cruinniú na nÓg’ on June 15, hosting a Kombucha-making workshop in the morning and a flower-crown workshop in the afternoon. Both events are free, but booking is required. Interested participants should visit cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie to reserve a spot promptly.
For those unable to attend Bloom, Anna Browne can be followed on her website (bigskyflowers.ie) or through her sustainability-focused podcast, ‘Practically Green’ (practicallygreen.ie), co-hosted with Eibhlin Fitzpatrick of The Refill Mill. The first four episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Acast network. Browne is also a frequent guest on Midlands 103 and Athlone Community radio.
The Flower Farmers of Ireland (flowerfarmersofireland.ie) represents the island’s leading commercial growers of cut flowers and foliage. The association’s presence at Bloom marks a significant milestone, highlighting the competitive challenges Irish growers face against foreign imports and the limited governmental support for this industry.
