CAFRE celebrates achievement of LEAF Marque Award

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have been awarded the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) at a special ceremony at Greenmount Campus by Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF.

Congratulating CAFRE on their achievement, Minister Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA said: "The award of LEAF Marque to CAFRE is an endorsement of its commitment to farming with due regard to the environment. CAFRE has worked hard to achieve the LEAF marquee, through using the latest technology and training programmes in this area.

"Developing a more sustainable environment is a key goal for DARD. Demonstrating and ensuring adoption of the latest technological advances in environmental management will help build a thriving and sustainable rural community for all of us."

The Minister concluded: "Farming is the back-bone of the local rural community and the LEAF Marque award recognises that modern food production can work in harmony with the environment."

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Director John Fay received the award on behalf of CAFRE at the Greenmount ceremony.

Notes to editors:

1. LEAF is a UK charitable organisation which demonstrates, ‘Integrated Farm Management’ principles through a nationwide network of volunteer demonstration farms and showing the community and other farmers working examples of how to produce affordable food in harmony with the environment. LEAF UK website

2. CAFRE’s farms and commercial horticulture unit successfully undertook the first level - LEAF self assessment in 2008. This success encouraged the College to work for the higher award, ‘The LEAF Marque’ audit which was achieved in May 2009 and is a first for a local farm.

3. Media enquiries to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.