Visit to a sustainable farm courtesy of Dr John Gilliland OBE

20th Sep 2008

As part of our new annual programme, RSA Ireland has organised an opportunity for Fellows to engage with a project which has put Northern Ireland at the forefront of international innovation in renewable energy production and the debate on the future of land use and food, water and energy supply and have organised an event in Derry. 

On a 650 acre family farm on the Foyle, Dr John Gilliland OBE FRSA has established a thriving agri-business, using willow trees to support and research renewable energy and waste management systems.  His company, Rural Generation Ltd (http://www.ruralgeneration.com/), designs sustainable systems which have been recognised by national and international accolades.

Among his many achievements, John has been the Sustainable Development NI Commissioner, has chaired the DEFRA Rural Climate Change Forum and represented Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian Institute’s 2007 Festival in Washington DC.  He has represented the agri-business sector at numerous meetings with all levels of government, the EU and worldwide economic bodies; in Copenhagen at the Heads of State summit; in Luxembourg at the review of the Common Economic Policy and at the World Trade Talks in Mexico.

In 2003, he was awarded an OBE for “Services to the Environment”.  Furthermore, John recently became a Fellow of RSA (Ireland). 

What he has to show us at his farm is sure to be of interest and provide us with a clearer understanding of some of the environmental and energy issues facing us today.

The event will begin with a presentation from John outlining the key issues in sustainable land use and the challenges of supporting a world population growing by 70 million a year.  This will be followed by a discussion session and a walk to see the project in practice.  Tea and coffee will be available on arrival at the Visitors Centre, Brook Hall Estate (click here for link to a map) and there will be a sandwich lunch before we disperse.

Format for the day:

10.45 Tea/coffee
11.15 Presentation – Dr John Gilliland
12.00 Discussion session
12.20 Tour
13.00 Sandwich lunch (approx).

The event is free but in order to manage numbers, could Fellows who wish to attend please contact our Secretary Paul Herman on P.Hermon@qub.ac.uk and let him know.

As we are keen to support our eco-friendly theme, we’re also hoping to encourage Fellows to consider car sharing.  If you’d like to either (i) offer a lift or (ii) avail of this opportunity to travel with some fellow Members and get to know them better, again please contact our Paul and let him know which option you’re offering.  As this will require a degree of co-ordination, please let Paul know asap in order that we can organize a meeting time and place for these Fellows.