On Tuesday, April 28th, we were proud to collaborate once again with our sustainability partners Greentech HQ for the latest Sustainability Cluster event themed ‘Practical solutions For A More Sustainable Future’. The session brought together leaders from horticulture, floristry, renewable energy and climate‑tech to explore practical approaches to land stewardship, local production, and data‑driven climate resilience across County Wexford and beyond.
Andrea McCann, Head Horticulturist, Redmond Farm
Andrea shared deep insights into soil health, nutrient mobility and the realities of growing at scale for a farm‑to‑fork operation. She highlighted the importance of soil microbiology, consistent irrigation, and careful nutrient management, particularly boron and calcium, in producing reliable crops such as the farm’s weekly tonnage of carrots. Andrea also discussed regenerative practices, biodiversity supports, and the balance between chef expectations and sustainable growing methods, emphasising that long‑term soil care underpins every successful harvest.
Carmel Duke, Founder, Mount Alexander Flowers
Carmel spoke about the rapid growth of Ireland’s sustainable cut‑flower movement and the need to rebuild local supply in a sector where Ireland imported €75 million of fresh flowers in 2021. She outlined her journey from hobby gardener to full‑time flower farmer, the importance of community through the Flower Farmers of Ireland, and the role of no‑dig methods, composting, and soil‑building in producing high‑quality seasonal blooms. Her contribution highlighted the environmental, economic and personal sustainability benefits of Irish‑grown flowers.
Roisin McCormack, COO & Co‑Founder, GKinetic Energy
Roisin presented the company’s innovative tidal‑energy technology and showcased its alignment with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. She outlined the potential to unlock 200MW of untapped tidal energy, create over 200 skilled jobs through local fabrication, and deliver significant carbon displacement by 2050. Her overview demonstrated how engineering innovation, infrastructure reuse and strong partnerships can drive climate impact at scale.
Gavyn Pedley, Founder, Flood Predictor
Gavyn introduced his flood‑prediction platform, designed to give communities clearer and more reliable information about flood risk. He explained how the system draws on public data, such as river levels, soil saturation, predicted rainfall and tide times, to show where flooding is most likely to occur in real time. It can assess flood exposure for individual farms and help planners understand how new developments might affect downstream areas. His work showed how accessible, real‑time information can help farmers, local authorities and businesses make better decisions in an changing climate.
