GIY Annual Report 2016

LetterfromtheCEOMichaelKelly

Momentum.IfIwasaskedtopickonewordtodescribeGIY,thenperhapsmomentumwouldbethemostappropriateone.

ItseemslikeeversincethefirstGIYgroupmeetingbackin2008we’vebeenconstantlymovingforward.Eachyearwe’vegrownbigger,reachedmorepeople,addedmoreGIYgroups,hiredmorestaff,raisedmorefundstodoourwork.

2016wascertainlyconsistentinthatrespect,butit’salsofairtosaythattheleapforwardwetookasanorganisationwasonadifferentlevelaltogether.2016wastruly,alandmarkyearforus.Tomymind,ithasbeencharacterizedbytwokeythings–firstlyweputdownrootsbyopeningGROWHQinWaterford,andsecondlywespreadourwingsbyrunningtwomajorcampaignsintheUK.

Ofcourse,thehighlightof2016hastobethatweopenedthedoorsofGROWHQinOctober.ItfeelslikealongtimesincewefirstcameupwiththeideatocreateahomefortheGIYmovement,butinrealityitwasonlya4yearwhirlwindoffundraising,designandconstructionactivity,whichisnotalongtimereally.Iamhugelygratefultoeveryonewhowasinvolved.WaterfordCityCouncilfordonatingthesite,ourprojectmanagerAnneHarpur,ourarchitectsSolearth,buildersTomO’Brienandalltheothermembersofthedesignandbuildteam.Butalsotoourmanyfunders–literallyhundredsofpeople,organisationsandcompaniescontributedeverythingfromsmalldonationstolargegrantsandeverythinginbetween.Wecouldn’thavedoneitwithoutthem.

Theperpetualmomentumandforwardmovementisahallmarkofwhowearebutithasoneobviousdownside–there’snevermuchtimetotakeabreathandreflectonallwe’veachieved.Thisannualreportallowsustheopportunitytodothat.Inputtingittogether,Iamstruckagainandagainbyjusthowbusyit’sbeen,andhowmuchwe’vecollectivelyachieved.

ThoughIamoftentheonetogettheplaudits,theworkthatyouwillreadaboutinthecomingpagesisamonumentaleffortfromagroupoftrulyremarkablepeople.IamsoproudoftheteamthatworksinGIYandhonouredtoworkwiththem.Increatingacultureforourorganizationwe’veoftensaidthatwewantworkingforGIYtofeellikeworkingonacoolprojectwithyourfriends.Ithinkweachievethat,mostofthetimeatanyrate.

Wearealsoindebtedtothehundredsofchange-makersthatrunGIYgroupsandprojectsincommunitiesaroundIreland,theUKandbeyond.Theyarethefoundationonwhichwe’vebuiltourhouse.

Finally,IwouldalsoliketothanktheboardofGIY(ledbyGaryGraham)fortheirpassionandcommitment,andforchallengingandsupportingmeateveryturn.

HappyGrowing

Michael

LetterfromtheChairperson–GaryGraham

ItiswithgreatprideandnotasmalldollopofhumilitythatIwritethesefewwordsforGIY’sfirst“proper”annualreport.

GIYhasgrownintoadynamicandhighlyprofessionalandeffectiveorganisationoveritsfirst9yearsbutlastyearGIYalsogrewup!WeareluckytohaveafounderwithsuperiorcommunicationskillsbutwiththeopeningofGrowHQwetripledouremployeenumberstoalmostthirtyandthenumberofstakeholders,investorsandsuppliershasincreasedexponentially.Soasagrownup,withalltheaddedresponsibilities,thetimehascomeforGIYtocommunicateitsachievements,itsfinances,itsobjectivesanditspoliciesinthetime-honouredformatofanannualreport.

Firstly,aschairman,IwanttodeclarethatweareprivilegedtohaveahardworkingandcommittedboardofdirectorswhohavesupportedandguidedMickKellyandhisteamthroughanexcitingandsometimeshighlystressfultimewhichculminatedintheopeningofGrowHQattheendof2016.

AndwhilethephysicalmanifestationofGIY’sambitiousplansintoGrowHQisahugemilestoneandasolidbaseforGIY’sglobalimpact,itisnotthebeallandendall.Tomymind,thegreatestachievementtodateisnottheconstructionofthebeautifulbuildingbutthebuildingofabeautifulteamofpeoplewhowillensurethatGIYwillbeaforcetoreckonwithandaforceforgoodfordecadestocome.

Nomanisanisland,noteventhemulti-talentedGIYfounderandtheGIYmanagementteamhasalltheskillsrequiredtorunthesmartestofoperations.OnbehalfoftheboardofdirectorsIcommendGIYforanoutstandingyearofachievementsandprofferagreen-fingeredsalutetothededicatedandpassionatemanagementteamwhocontinuetosurpriseanddelightusall.

Gary

WEAREGIYWe’rebuildingahealthier,happierandmoresustainableworldwherepeoplegrowsomeoftheirownfood.

WhyWeDoWhatWeDo

Thewaythefoodchaincurrentlyoperateshasprofoundimplicationsforourhealthandthehealthofourplanet.

Forthefirsttimeinhumanhistorythenumberofdiet-relateddiseaseshassurpassedthatofinfectiousdiseases.Over2billionpeoplegloballyareoverweightorobese.Irelandhasthehighestrateofobesityinchildrenunder5intheEU.

Theglobalfoodsystemisresponsibleforuptoone-thirdofhuman-causedgreenhousegasemissions,andamajorcontributortoclimatechange.InIrelandover90%offruitandvegetablesconsumedareimported,two-thirdsofwhichcouldbegrownhere.

TheFoundingStory

MichaelKellyworkedintheITbusinessfortenyears,buthislifechangedthedayhenoticedthatabulbofgarlichewasabouttobuyinhislocalsupermarketwasimportedfromChina.Hestartedgrowinghisownfood(badly..)whichrestoredhisrelationshipwithfoodandmadehimhealthy,happyandmoresustainable.

In2008,heestablisheda“GIYgroup”locallysohecouldmeetandlearnfromotheramateurfoodgrowers.In2009hestartedGIYtoinspireandsupportotherstogrowtheirownfood.

OurStrategy

WhenpeoplegrowsomeoftheirownfoodtheydevelopadeeperunderstandingandconnectionwithfoodwhichGIYcalls‘foodempathy’.

Researchshowsthatpeoplewhogrowsomeoftheirownfoodhavebetterdietsandeatinghabits;showhigherlevelsofknowledgeaboutnutrition;recycleandcompostmore,andwastelessfood.GIYingisaprovenlevertoahealthier,happierandmoresustainablelifestyle.So,we’reallaboutgettingpeopletogrowsomefood.

WeareGIY

GIYisanemergingglobalmovementofpeoplewhogrowsomeoftheirownfoodathome,school,workandinthecommunity.Wearepassionatebelieversinthepoweroffoodgrowingexperiencestoreallyreconnectpeopletotheirfoodinmeaningfulwaysandputthemonapathtoahealthier,happierandmoresustainablelife.

GIYisfocusedoncreatingapositive,empowering,disruptivechangeinthefoodsystembycreatingamassmovementofpeoplewhohavemorefoodempathy,andmakebetterfooddecisions.

StrategicObjectivesandActivities

StrategicObjectives2016-2019

1. Growanengaged,vibrantandnetworkedcommunityofGIYgroupsandprojectsinIrelandandtheUK.

2. Devise,promoteanddeliverasuiteofengaging,participatoryeducationandawarenesscampaigns,events,coursesandresourcestoinspireandsupportpeopletogrowfood.

3. MakeGROWHQathrivingcentreofexcellenceforhomegrownfood,afoodeducationcentre,thehomeoftheGIYmovementandaplacewherepeoplecanimmersethemselvesingrowing,cookingandeatinghomegrownfood.

4. Createabest-in-class,financiallysustainable,wellresourced,fundedandgovernedorganisationtosupportourstrategicobjectives.

CoreActivities

1. Supportingpeopletogrowfoodwherevertheycallhomewithawarenessandskillscampaigns,onlineresourcesandlocalcommunitysupports.

2. SupportinganetworkoflocalchampionstoputfoodgrowingbackatthecentreoftheircommunitiesbycreatingGIYgroupsandprojects,e.g.GIYgroups;communitygardens,schoolsprojects,cottagemarketsetc.

3. Nationalawarenesscampaignstoencourageadultsandchildrentogrowfoodathome,school,workandinthecommunity.

4. Attendingnationaleventstopromotefoodgrowingandfoodempathy.

5. GROWHQ-ahomefortheGIYmovementandaplacewherepeoplecanimmerseintheGIYlifestyleandgrow,cookandeathome-grownfood.

6. Promotingfoodgrowingasatherapeuticdevicefordisadvantagedgroups.

HowWe’reFunded

GIYisanot-for-profitsocialenterpriseandacompanylimitedbyguarantee(CLG)thatcurrentlyemploys29peopleinWaterford.Ourturnoverin2017willbeapproximately€1,150,000.Weraisethisincomethrough:

• GROWHQ–ourfoodeducationandretailcentreinWaterfordCityandonlineshop.

• WorkingwithpartnerssuchasTheIrelandFunds,TheCommunityFoundation,innocent,Energia,BordBia,UlsterBank,AramarkandCully&Sullytocreatefoodgrowingprogrammes.

• GIY@Work–corporatewellnessprogrammetrainingemployeestogrowfoodatworkasalevertoahealthierandmoresustainablelifestyle.

• GIYSupporters

o RetailFriends–contributionsfromrelevantretailerstoadvertiseandfeatureinGIYpublicationsinprintandonline.

o GIYMemberScheme–GIYerspay€35perannumtoreceiveourquarterlymagazineGROWaswellasotherresourcestohelpthemtogrowfood.

“WeareexceptionallyproudofSow&GrowandourpartnershipwithGIY.Asanorganizationtheyhaveempoweredsomanylocalcommunitiesandindividualsaroundthecountrytogrowtheirownfood.”

BlathnaidMcKenna,innocentDrinks

GIYMilestones

Sometimelongago–Mick’sgarlicepiphany.

2008–September:firstGIYmeetingheldinthelibraryinWaterfordCity.

2009–GIYwinsSocialEntrepreneursIrelandawardandestablishesasorganisation.FirstGIYGatheringheldinWITinSeptember2009withspeakersincludingthenMinisterforFoodTrevorSargentandClodaghMcKenna.

2010–WinsArthurGuinnessFundAward(April),firstshowgardenatBloom(June);PresidentMaryMcAleese,DiarmuidGavinandDuncanStewartspeakatGIYGatheringinGuinnessStorehouse.

2011–Firstschoolscampaign,createedibleMapofIrelandatBloomandGIYStreetFeastatWaterfordHarvestFestival.SpeakersatGIYGatheringincludeBobFlowerdewandJoyLarkcom.

2012–WorldRecordattemptatBloomforthemostnumberofpeoplesowingaseedlingatthesametime.RunOperationGIYNationcampaignwithAIB;attendElectricPicnic.GIYGatheringspeakersincludeMarkDiacono,AlysFowlerandLiaLeendertz.

2013–WebeginscoutingsitesforGROWHQincludingStOtteransHospitalandWIT.LaunchofGetIrelandGrowingFundsupportedbyAIB;attendLitfest.FinaleofSow&GrowtakesplaceatBloomwithDonalSkehan.WinArthurGuinnessProjectsAwardsforGROWHQ.

2014–TaoiseachEndaKennylaunchesfundraisingcampaignforGROWHQ;launchofGrowitYourselfiecampaignwithRenaultIrelandwithIanDempseyandLorraineKeane.GetIrelandGrowingFundsupports100communityfoodprojects.PatrickHoldenattheGIYGathering.

2015-Sow&GrowlauncheswithnewpatronLillyHiggins;launchGivePeasaChancewithCully&SullyatCHQ;celebratefinaleofGetIrelandGrowingatAirfield.

2016–GIYrunsSow&GrowschoolscampaignandGivePeasaChanceintheUKforthefirsttime,andopensGROWHQ.

TopLeft:TaoiseachEndaKenny,EllaMcSweeneyandMichaelKellylaunchthefundraisingcampaign.BottomLeft:GROWHQprojectteamatHQasconstructionbegins.

Above:Atthesodturning,MayorofWaterfordJohnCummins,MichaelKelly,TanaisteJoanBurton,GaryGrahamandCiaraConwayTD.

GROWHQMilestones

• June2013:PitchtoWaterfordCityCouncil.

• July2013:PublicinformationeventattheWoodlandsHotelabouttheproject.

• October2013:AnnouncedesignteamtobeledbyProjectManagerAnneHarpurandSolearthSustainableArchitecture.

• November2013:TaoiseachEndaKennylaunchesourfundraisingcampaign;Decemberwereceiveagrantof€75,000fromtheDepartmentofHealth.

• February2014:AnnouncemajordonationsfromTonyRyanTrust(€100,000),BordBia(€40,000)andAramark(€60,000).

• March2014:fundraisingcookerydemoeventwithRachelAllen,andlaunchofGoldenTicketraffleinassociationwithBallymaloeCookerySchool.

• April2014:WaterfordCityCouncilvotedtodisposeofthelandtoGIYina100-yearlease

• June2014:Fullplanningpermissiongranted

• October2014:GROWCOOKEATispublishedtoraisefundsforGROWHQ.

• February2015:BankloansanctionedfromAIB;tenderDocsissuedforconstruction;alsoannounceloannoteschemetoraise€300,000infunds.

• October2015:AppointTomO’BrienConstructionasbuildingcontractor.

• December2015:SodTurningeventfeaturesMayorofWaterfordJohnCumminsandTanaisteandMinisterforSocialProtectionJoanBurton.DesignTeamWorkComplete.

• March2016:GROWCirclechallengetoraisethefinal€250,000neededforGROWHQfinishes.GIYalsoannouncessignificantgrantawardsfromtheCommunityFoundationandWaterfordLocalEnterpriseOffice.

• October2016:GROWHQopens.GuestsattheopeningeventincludeDarinaAllenandRoryO’Connell.

GROWHQisthehomeoftheGIYmovement,andGIY’s€1.4mnationalfoodeducationcentreona3acresiteatArdkeen,WaterforddonatedbyWaterfordCityCouncil.ManagedbytheforceofnaturethatisClaireMcCabe,GROWHQisaplaceforpeopletoimmerseintheGIYlifestyle,andlearnhowtogrow,cookandeatfood.Itincludesastunningeco-buildingwithgreenroof,a65seatcafé,shop,

trainingroomsandveg/kitchengardens.

GROWHQ–2016-Gettingopenandthefirst3months

ThefinalpiecesofourfundraisingpuzzlefellintoplacewhenwecompletedtheGROWCirclechallengeinMarch.Injustthreemonths20companiescameonboardandcommitted€250,000betweenthem.Inreturnwewillbeteachingtheiremployeeshowtogrowtheirownfoodinthecomingthreeyears.WealsoreceivedsignificantfundingfromTheCommunityFoundationandWaterfordLocalEnterpriseOffice.

Havingturnedthesodinlate2015,summer2016sawusfinalizingthebuild.Ahugethankstothedesignandbuildteam,particularlyourProjectManagerAnneHarpur,architectMikeHaslamatSolearthandourbuildingcontractorTomO’BrienConstruction.AlsoabigthankstoDavidJoywhomanagedtherecruitmentofkeystaff,thefitoutofthebuildingandthefinalstagesofourpre-openingprocess;andLucyBellwhogotourproductiongardenupandrunningatGROWHQ.

WegotthekeysfromthebuilderonFriday30thSeptemberandopenedourdoorsonWednesdayOctober5th.AtanopeningeventonOctober6th,DarinaAllenandRoryO’Connelljoinedourotherguestswhoincludedoursponsors,investorsandlocalbusinessesthatsupportedusthroughtheproject.OnSaturdayOctober9thwegaveourlocalchampionsfromaroundIrelandtheopportunitytoseetheplaceforthefirsttime.

Thenitwasdowntobusiness!OurfirstcoursetookplaceonTuesday18th,notsurprisinglyatalkongarlicbyMichaelKelly!WeheldourfirstFridayFeastonthelastFridayinNovemberandonNovember26thweplantedourorchardaspartofournationalOrchardinanHourcampaign.ThankstoJBDuboisourheadchefandthekitchenteam,inDecemberwereceivedaMcKennaGuidesaward.

AhugecongratstotheteamatHQonasuccessfulopeningperiodparticularlyCentreManagerClaireMcCabe,HeadChefJBDubois,FinanceManagerCiaranWalshandEducationCoordinatorHazelTierney.

GIYintheCommunity

EnergiaGetIrelandGrowing

Between2012and2015GIY’sGetIrelandGrowingFundsupportedover400communityfoodgrowingprojectswithgrantsandothersupports.ProjectssupportedincludethoseworkingwithDEISschools,peoplewithmentalhealthissuesanddisabilities,asylumseekers,ex-offenders,early-schoolleaversandlongtermunemployed.

WeweredelightedthereforetobringtheGetIrelandGrowingFundbacktowardstheendof2016withabrandnewtitlesponsor,Energia.ThecampaignwaslaunchedinNovemberandwereceivedover600applicationsfor85grants.Energiastaffarealsotakingpartintheirownworkplacegrowinginitiative.

GIYGroups

2016wasabusyyearforGIYgroupswith65newgroupsregisteringwithusinlocationssuchasCastlepollard,AthboyandNewtownmountkennedy.WealsohadexistingfoodgrowingprojectsregisterwithusviaChangeX.WebroughtourlovelylocalchampionstogetherforGet-Togetherstoinspireandsupportanumberoftimesduringtheyearincluding:

• FebruaryatStBrigidsGardeninDublin

• JuneforBloom

• OctoberatGROWHQ

CottageMarket

2016wastheyearthatsawusputamajorpushbehindTheCottageMarketinitiative.ThefirstCottageMarketwasdevelopedbythemarvelthatisKarenO’DonohoewhowasoriginallyalocalchampionofaGIYgroupinLadysbridgeinCorkandwholatercametoworkforGIYasCommunityManager.

ACottageMarketisacommunity-ledmarketdesignedtoputhome-madeandhome-grownfoodandcraftbackatthecentreofIrishcommuntities.AsmallgrantfromCEDRAallowedustopilotnewmarketswithGIYgroupsinHeadfordandDrogeheda.

Towardstheendof2016wewerechosenasoneof6flagshipinvestmentprojects(from317applications)byTheIrelandFundsandawarded€60,000overtwoyearstosupportthedevelopmentof15CottageMarketsintheGIYnetwork.

SignificantfundingsupportfromTheIrelandFundsandtheUlsterBankSkillsandOpportunitiesFundwillallowustodevelopevenmoremarketsaroundIrelandin2017andbeyond.

PicturedbelowisourCommunityManagerKarenwiththeteamfromSAPLandscapesandstudentsfromSalesianCollegeCelbridgeduringtheOrchardinanHourdayinNovember.

GIY in Schools

Sow&Grow

ThiswasthefifthyearofourprimaryschoolsgrowingprogrammeSow&Grow,whichwe’reproudtopartnerwithinnocentdrinkson.In2016wetookthecampaigntotheUKforthefirsttime.Intotal120,000childrentookpartinover4,000schoolsintheUKandIreland.

InIrelandweweredelightedtohaveOperationTransformation’sAoifeHearneasambassador,whileLorrainePascalewasambassadorintheUK.

ThewinningschoolintheIrelandcampaignvisitedTheGIYzoneatBloomandmetwithPresidentandMrsHiggins.WevisitedthewinningschooloftheSow&GrowUKcampaign,HorsendenPrimarySchoolinMiddlesex,inJunetomeetthekidsandgivethemtheirprizes.TheMDofinnocentUKandIrelandNickCanneyandmarketingManagerJamesPeachattendedalso.

Sow&Grow2016alongwithallourcampaignsandeventswasmanagedbythewonderfulShonaDubois.

EatTogether

InpartnershipwithTramoreEducateTogetherprimaryschool,wedevelopedasocialeatingprogrammeforchildrencalledEatTogether.Duringan8weekpilotprogrammewedeliveredseasonal,nutritioushot2-coursedinnerseachWednesday.Thechildrenspentafull45minuteseatingtogetherandtalkingabouttheirfood.

Theobjectivesoftheprogrammewere:

• Givethechildrenanopportunityonceaweektoeatinarelaxed,socialsetting-servingeachother,sharingandenjoyingfoodtogether.Thiswilldevelopanunderstandingofthesocialaspectofeating.

• Encouragehealthyeatinghabitsandanunderstandingofnutritionandabalanceddiet.

• Encouragechildrentotrynewfoodstogether.

• Encourageanunderstandingoftheseasonalityoffruitandvegetables.

The Team

Ourstaffteamconsistsof29peoplebasedatGROWHQandourofficeintheWilliamstownCentreatArdkeenWaterford.TheSeniorstaffteamare:

"WorkingatGIYgivesmetheverybestcombinationofmeaningful,challenging,inspiringandcreativework.IlovewhatIdoandIloveworkingshouldertoshoulderwiththispassionate,hardworkingandhilariouscrew."ShonaDubois,Campaigns&EventsManager

OurdedicatedboardofdirectorscomprisesleadingbusinessandpublicsectorprofessionalswhogivegenerouslyoftheirtimeonavoluntarybasistoensurethatGIYupholdstheveryhigheststandardsofprofessionalismandgovernance.TheboardofGIYmeetsquarterlyandworkscloselywiththeCEOandtheSeniorstaffteam,providingoversightandsupporttoensurewehavethegreatestpossibleimpact.During2016weestablishedasub-committeetostartGIYonthejourneytocompletetheGovernanceCode.Abovepic:GIYBoardandStaffvisitGROWHQConstructionsite.

BoardofDirectors:

Chairperson

GaryGraham,BloomManager,BordBia

Directors:

FeargalO’Neill,RegionalDirectoratNEPS

TimHolmes,HeadofQualityatDiageo

AileenO’Malley,PartneratO’MalleySorohan

TrevorKing,StrategicBusinessConsultantatTrevorKingandCo.

CatherineMcMullen,SeniorConsultantwithInternationalEcoSystemManagementPartnership

AislingFarrelly,FormerSeniorManageratIBRC

PaulSweetman,Director/OwneratStacked.ie

SarahFurno,OwneratCashelBlueCheese

The Board

GIY @ Work

GivePeasaChance

ForthesecondyearofouraldeskogrowingcampaignwithourfriendsinCully&SullyweweredelightedtoexpandthecampaignintotheUK.WelaunchedtheIrishcampaignatBloomwithapaneldiscussiononhealthyworkplaceswhich‘Dragons’BobbyKerrandAlisonCowsertookpartin.TheUKcampaignlaunchedattheIceTankinLondon.

The2015challengewaswonbyOptimalChiropracticinCorkwhodonatedtheircommunitygardentotheCorkAssociationforAutisminMogeely.Aspringmeithealinearly2016installedandbuiltthegardenwhichwillbeofhugetherapeuticbenefittotheserviceusers.

InSeptember,theGivePeasaChancecampaignwasnominatedfor‘BestCharitableInitiativebyaRetailer’intheNationalFMCGAwardswithCheckoutmagazine.Thewinningcompaniesin2016were:

Ireland:AuraLeisureandtheirnominatedcharity,LauraLynn.

UK:TheMilestoneHotel,LondonandtheirchosencharityTheKensington&ChelseaFoundation.

GIY@WorkProgramme

2016sawthedevelopmentofGIY@Workasafocusareaforus.It’sasimpleidea–thatsomeofthebestplacestoworkrecognisehowfood-growingcanhelppeopletolivehealthierandhappier.AndhereinGIYwecanhelptomakethathappen.Weoffereverythingfrom‘al-desko’growingexperiencestoworkshops,toonsitegardendevelopmentandcommunitygardenvolunteeringprogrammes.

In2016weweredelightedtoworkwithsomeofIreland’sgreatplacestoworkincludingtheEPA,BordGais,BNYMellon,EastCoastBakehouse,Nearform,KBCBank,Symantecandmore.

BuildingonthesuperbworkdonebyRonanDouglasin2015/2016,BrookeMurphyjoinedtheteamfromAustraliainlateDecemberasBusinessDevelopmentManagerandwillbedevelopingourofferingfurtherin2017.

MainPic:L-RMichaelKelly,AlisonCowzer(EastCoastBakehouse,BobbyKerr(Insomnia),RenaO’Donovan

(Cully&Sully)attheGIYzoneatBloom.

GIY in the Media L-RMayorAdamWyse,MaireadLavery,KarenO’Donohoe,HazelTierney,ClaireMcCabe,ClaireCullen,SeanMoncrieff,AmyO’Shaughnessy(Energia),MichaelKellyandShonaDubois

ThankstoourCommsmanagerClaireCullenDelsolandourPRagency,PowerhousePR,wewerespreadingtheGIYwordinprintandbroadcastin2016.

MickwasonwithBobbyKerrwhenherecordedhisDownToBusinessshowinWaterfordinFebruary.

InMarchwewereonwithMattCooperonTheLastWordonTodayFM,andMarianFinucaneonRTERadio1.

ThelaunchofGivePeasaChancefeaturedonAlisonCurtisshowonTodayFMinJune.

SeanMoncrieffbroadcasthisshowlivefromGROWHQinNovember.

WealsohadfeaturesinTheIrishTimes,TheIrishExaminerandTheSundayBusinessPost.

MIckhadaweeklyslotontheWLRbreakfastshowwithOllie&MaryandoccasionallyheevenmentionedGIY..

Bloom 2016

Bloomhasbeenourshowcaseeventformanyyears,andin2016wepulledoutallthestopsfortheshow’s10thanniversarytomaketheGIYZonebiggerandbetterthanever.InadditiontopartneringwithourlovelysponsorsinnocentandCully&SullytoshowcasetheSow&GrowandGivePeasaChancecampaigns,wealsocreatedabrand-newdiscussionstagecalledFoodMattersinassociationwithBordBiaandTheIrishFoodWritersGuild.

TheGIYFoodMattersstagebecamethehomeofpracticalfood-growingworkshopsandthought-provokingfooddiscussionanddebateatBloom.

SpeakersincludedRossGoldenBannon,AoifeCarrigy,DrDonalO’Shea,MaireadLavery,PhillipBoucherHayes,BobbyKerr,AlisonCowzer,AidanCotterandmore.

Inourspeciallyconstructedstretch-tent,theGIYFoodMattersstagebroughttogetherleadingfoodgrowers,writers,chefs,nutritionists,healthcareexpertsandjournalistsfordebateanddiscussiononthemostimportantfoodissuesoftoday,including:

• Reading,Writing,ArithmeticandFood–whatwouldIrishsocietylooklikeifchildrenlearnedaboutfoodinschool?

• The39cKiloofVeg–whataretherealcostsofcheapfood?

• TheFoodBogeyman-Firstit’sfat,nowit’ssugar.Isittimeforamorenuanceddiscussionaboutfoodandhealth?

• HospitalFood–enoughtomakeyousick.

Other2016Highlights

GROWMagazine

During2016wehad4wonderfulissuesofGROWmagazine,featuringarticlesbyPhilWealongrowingfruit,HansWielandonfermenting,JanePowersontomatoesandmuchmore.ClaireCullenDelsoltookoverfromShonaintheEditor’schairforthefinaltwoissuesoftheyear.

ChangeXandtheGIYWebsite

In2016wepartneredwithChangeXtobringtheGIYgroupcommunityontothiswonderfulplatformthatshowcasesproveninnovationstoimprovecommunities.InthespringwealsolaunchedourbrandnewwebsitedevelopedbyMorSolutions.

OrchardinanHour

BrainstormingwithChangeXandourlocalchampionsonideastomarkthecentenaryyearcelebrations,wecameupwiththeideaforanationalorchardplantinginitiativecalledOrchardinanHour.SponsoredbySAPLandscapes,wehad100OrchardinanHourpackstogiveawaytocommunitygroupsandencouragedcommunitiestosignuptoplanttheircommunityorchardsonNovember26th.

SpudLove

AcheekyvideokickedoffournationalspudgrowingchallengeSpudLoveinFebruaryinassociationwithBordBia.‘SpudLove2016’,encouragedIrishcommunitiestofallinlovewiththespudalloveragainbyhostingalocal‘SpudOff’competition,withtheaimoffindingIreland’sfavouritespud.

Summerval

ForWaterford’ssummerfestivalwecreatedauniqueUrbanFoodTrailinthecitywhichconsistedof8raisedbedplantersdottedaroundthecitycentre.Eachplanterwasallocatedtoavegfamilysoitactsasatrail,butalsoaneducationalactivityfocusedoncroprotation.Ourown‘Juicie’JimBrindleyledfreeguidedtoursofthetrailonSaturdayandSundayafternoons.

Other2016Highlights

CréPartnership

Aspartofa3yearpartnershipwithCré,GIYwillbedoingapromotionalcampaignonBrownBinuseandcompostingtotheGIYcommunityandatGROWHQ.

Medtronic

Inearly2016wewereoneof6organisationstobeawardedfundingbyMedtronicaspartoftheirHealthyCommunitiesFund,a3yearprogrammesupportingnotforprofitgroupstoremovebarriersofaccesstohealthcare.The€20,000fundingallowedustosupportcommunityfoodgrowingprojectsinGalway,Athlone,KilkennyandDublin.

FestivalFun

InmidMaywewereatLitfestinBallymaloewithCully&SullytoshowcasetheGivePeasaChancecampaigninaspeciallyconstructedgardenandchill-outspace.WewerealsoatFifteenSecondsinAustria(June),WaterfordFestivalinCurraghmore,SchoolofFoodOpenDay(Thomastown)andtheWaterfordHarvestFestival(September).

TeamDevelopment

2016sawourteamgrowdramaticallyasweexpandedourcoreprogrammesinGIYandopenedthedooratGROWHQ.ClaireMcCabemovedfromGIYtotakeovertheCentreManagerroleatGROWHQ,whileKarenO’DonohoejoinedtheteamfulltimeasCommunityManager.EimearDelahuntyjoinedthegardenteamfulltime.Havingstartedonashort-termcontractinJune,ClaireCullenjoinedtheteamfulltimeasCommunicationsManagerinSeptember.JuicieJimBrindleyjoinedtheteamasCommsAssistant,whileElaineBrownjoinedusasCommunityCoordinatorhavingworkedwithusonastudentinternshipin2014.

RosyBentjoinedShonatoworkonCampaignsandEvents,andBrooke‘Sparkles’MurphyjoinedusfromAustraliaasBusinessDevelopmentManager.WonderinternsfromGermanyincludedMayaandRamonaandthroughourinvolvementinWaterfordArts&HeritageCESchemeweweredelightedtowelcomePatKeating,MichaelCarter,CatherineFoskinandEileenDunphy.

GIYers Speak

“IfoundtheHerbalRemediescoursewithBrookereallyinteresting.Shesharedawealthofknowledge,whichwaseyeopeningandthecoursehadagreatinteractiveelement.Learninghowtomakethesewonderful,effectiveremediesathome,withwhatwealreadyhaveatourfingertips-wasveryempowering.'

AoifeCoghlan–GROWHQCourse-Goer

“Thecolddidnotdampenourspiritsasmen,women,childrenandteensallhelpedouttoplantthisfoodlegacyforourcommunitytoenjoyoverthenext100years.AsIstoodandlistenedtotheheartwarmingconversationsIfeltsuchafeelingofbelonging.Somethingsmoneycan'tbuy,thisexperiencewasoneofthem.”

TracyDoyle,ScarriffForoigeYouthClub–aboutOrchardinanHour.

“ThroughSow&Grow,Wehavewitnessedtheself-esteemofourmostvulnerableandmarginalisedchildrenblossomaseverychildcansucceedregardlessofability.”

Principal,StThomasSeniorSchool

“‘FormeitwasadreamcometruetosetuptheCottagemarket.It’ssomethingIalwayswantedtodobuthavingthesupportfromKarenandtheGIYbrandnamebehindmegavemetheconfidenceIneededtoactuallygoaheadwithit.Theyprovidedwithmaterialsatthestart–butitwasactuallytheenthusiasmfromKarenthatreallypushedmetodoit.Oftenthat’swhatmakesthedifference,someonewhosharesyourpassion,reassuresyouthatit’spossibleandthatyou’renotalonewiththiscrazyidea,someonewhounderstandsthefearofstartingsomethingnew.’

EimearCullen,GIYDrogheda.

'IliveinErdingtoninBirminghamwhichisn'taverygreenspace.Ialsofeellikethecommunitycoulddefinitelystandtocometogethermoreandwantedtostartagroupoflikemindedpeopleandmakesomepositivechangeinmylocalarea.IattendedaGIYeventinBirminghamacoupleofyearsagowhereyouallcameandspokeandIfounditveryinspiring'

LizCourtneyBirminghamUK.

ThankYoutoourFundersandSponsorsin2016

Weareverygratefultotheorganisationsthatsupportedourworkin2016–wecouldn’tdowhatwedowithoutyoursupport.

TheGROWCircle

• JavaRepublic

• Applegreen

• Sportworks

• Miele

• Renault

• Walsh’sBakehouse

• SAPLandscapes

• DawnMeats

• CashelBlue

• Cre

Inearly2016welaunchedtheGROWCirclechallengetoraisethefinal€250,000weneededtofundGROWHQ.Intotal,28companiescameonboardandjoinedtheGROWCircle.InreturnforadonationtoGROWHQ,wearehelpingtheirstaffandcommunitiestogrowsomeoftheirownfoodanddevelopfoodempathyinthecomingyears.WeareproudtopartnerwiththeseexceptionalcompanieswhohavehelpedustodevelopGROWHQ.

• ChiaBia

• ThreeMobile

• WaterfordStanley

• SchoolFoodCompany

• RealNation

• WhitfieldClinic

• Bausch&Lomb

• CaulfieldsSupervalu

• DouglasCarroll

• Flahavans

• SSEAirtricity

• TheGranvilleHotel

• AIB

• WLRFM

• Genzyme

• ArdkeenQualityFoodstore

• BallymaloeCookerySchool

• Aramark

GIYIrelandCLGandGIYIreland(Activities)LtdFigures2016 GIYIrelandCLG GIYIreland

(Activities)Ltd*Total

Programmes Trading Sales 219,644 281,071 500,715 Costofsales 9,953 201,052 211,005 GrossProfit 209,691 80,019 289,710 LessOverheads 208,984 79,581 288,565 NetProfit/Loss 707 438 1,145 *Note:ThesefiguresdonotincludeGROWHQ

GROWHQFundraisingandExpenditureGROWHQwasa€1.4mproject.ThefundraisingplanforGROWHQwasdiverse,targetingamixtureofcrowdfunding,corporatesponsorship,governmentgrants,borrowingandphilanthropicdonation.Therepayableportionofourfunding(bankloanandloannotes)werekeptat50%ofthetotalprojectbudget.

BytheNumbers

GROWHQFundraising

PhilanthropicDonations 165,000

GovernmentGrants 215,000

Fundraising/GROWCircle 310,000

Loans 710,000

Total 1,400,000

GROWHQExpenditure

Construction&Consultantscosts

1,235,000

Contributions,wages&Furnishings

165,000

Total 1,400,000

GIY,2ndFloor,WilliamstownCentre,Ardkeen,WaterfordPh:051584411Email:info@GIY.ieWeb:www.GIY.ie

GROWHQ,Farronshoneen,Ardkeen,WaterfordPh:051584422Email:hello@growhq.orgWeb:www.growhq.org