Field Exchange is where relationships between agriculture and creativity are examined and invigorated to combat climate change. Presented on Brookfield Farm on the shores of Lough Derg, Co Tipperary by farmer and climate ambassador Ailbhe Gerrard. The first edition of Field Exchange took place between June and September 2022.
An exchange programme of creative agricultural topics was facilitated on the farm and were further contextualised and amplified by Model Plot, a sculptural planting by artist Deirdre O’Mahony in collaboration with the Loy Association of Ireland. Artist John Gerrard contributed a unique presentation of his simulation titled Corn Work at a newly designed and commissioned Exchange Table by Elements of Action.
The Exchanges provided farmers, food producers, artists, experts and the interested public space, time and community to collaborate. Field Exchange engages vision, knowledge and practical action to come together to solve our urgent challenges in agriculture, biodiversity and climate. It launched on the Summer Solstice, June 21st 2022 and is followed by twelve weeks of public open days + Exchanges, culminating in a closing Harvest Feast on September 16th 2022. Highlights of the participants in the Exchanges include:
- Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, delivering the closing speech at the Harvest Feast, September 2022
- Ella McSweeney, Farming and Food Journalist mc-ing the Harvest Feast
- Sabina Higgins, First Woman, opening Field Exchange in June 2022
- 21 experts delivering the exchanges and engaged with participants
- 160 participants taking part in the the launch and closing of Field Exchange
- 240 people participating in the exchanges
Field Exchange was a recipient of the inaugural Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications that supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empower citizens to make meaningful behavioral transformations.