Eurolink "Agricolae" - What's in a name

"Agricolae" is the name the South of England Agricultural Society has given to British farmers who have taken part in their "Eurolink" exchange scheme with farmers in mainland Europe. These farmers, plus other who have joined them, belong to what we call the "Eurolink Agricolae Club", now extended into a network. Many have wondered why we have have chosen a word that seems strange to English ears. The answer lies in the origin of this interesting word.

The word "agricola" (the singular of agricolae) comes from the Latin "ager" - field and "colo" - cultivate and is the derivative of "agriculture", the science and art of producing plants and animals useful to man. Even before Roman times, hunting was not only the way of obtaining sustenance. As recorded and revealed in Latin works of Virgil and others, herds of beasts were reared and driven as required to suitable pasturage and crops were grown on patches of ground until the soil became exhausted. Man later discovered manures and the value of rotation of crops. Other branches of what we now embrace in the overall term "agriculture" were gradually developed, such as fruit growing and bee keeping and many others. After the decline of the Roman Empire, there continued to evolve this gradual development of agriculture and improvement of methods in stock breeding and tillage and all its ramifications throughout Europe.

What better name can describe the aims of the original Eurolink exchange scheme and the evolvement of a "club" or dedicated group of farmers wishing to impart, acquire and implement knowledge of the latest farming techniques?

"Agricolae" has now become a kind of trademark associated with Eurolink and the South of England Agricultural Society at Ardingly - a name and an enterprise of which we are justly proud.

A. M. Woodhead

South of England Show post 1

So as we enter the first day of the South of England show at Ardingly, Eurolink and International Farmlink is situated at one of the corners of the show ground. It gives us the opportunity to talk about, well alright type about, the current agricultural and rural affairs.

A recent article in the New Scientist (2nd of June 2012) states that traces ofradioactive caesium, from the leak in Fukushima Daiichi plant, has been found in Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in low enough doses so that it won't harm humans. But it is thought by Daniel Madigan of Stanford University in California that the levels of the caesium may aid the tracking of other marine life such as Salmon Sharks, turtles and seabirds.

A post that I found on the twitter feed of Eurolink (@eurolinkseas) also described the decline of farmbirds. Richard D. Gregory reports for the New Scientist on the 6th of June 2012 that the losses of some "European bird populations are in precipitous decline"..."with a downward trend of 36 specialist farmland birds for the last 30 years equates to an estimated loss of 297 million farmbirds in Europe during that period".

Gregory continues to state that "European agricultural policy needs substantial reform so that it delivers measures to help birds and other wildlife across the continent's farmed landscape...nesting habitats and food in the summer and winter...policies must also support low-intensity farming systems that deliver a range of ecosystem benefits in addition to wonderful biodiversity".

More information can be found here as well as the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme and TEEB.org

 

Overseas Pavilion South of England Show

Overseas Visitors to the South of England Show in June are in for a treat. We have a specially designated Pavilion in a prime ringside position where they receive a warm welcome, advice if required on different areas of the Show, a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea and the facility to leave belongings in safe keeping while wandering around the Show. The Pavilion is manned on a voluntary basis by farmers, and their friends, who have have taken part in the exchanges and study visits in Europe and other parts of the world, which have been generously sponsored over many years by the South of England Agricultural Society in Ardingly, West Sussex.

Visitors can meet up with old friends, make new acquaintances and on occasions meet distinguished visitors to the Show, which in the past have included the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip; the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and Ambassadors to the Court of St. James. In addition, they are entertained by displays of the highest standard in the Main Ring, competitions to judge the very best in British Agriculture, horses, show jumpers, ponies and perhaps most well-known of all: a fabulous display of cattle representing the best in country.

If visitors have a few moments to spare, they may enjoy looking at the many displays adorning the Pavilion walls. Amongst others, they can view photographs of people and agriculture enterprises taken during the annual visits to mainland Europe organised by the Eurolink Agricultural Club, some of the them catching people unawares in unguarded moments, which I leave to your imagination. Most of the stewards in the Pavilion have been active members of Eurolink and are happy to converse with you.

The Pavilion is generously sponsored and these supporters are also in the Pavilion. You will be pleasantly surprised when you see who they are.

Put the dates of next year's South of England Show in your diary: June the 7th, 8th and 9th 2012. We look forward to welcoming you.

Eurolink Agricolae Club

The Eurolink Initiative was formed in 1980.

The Eurolink Club was established in 1995 in response to popular demand from previous participants in the Eurolink Exchange Scheme.

At that time farmers could only participate in the scheme once. Having gained so much from their experience, and even having enjoyed it, the farmers wanted to be involved again in meeting more people from the agricultural world and seeing different farming projects.

The Eurolink Club provides an annual gathering (reunion) for its members in a different country each year. This provides an occasion to see different rural and agricultural businesses, to renew friendships and enjoy some cultural activity.

The Club provides two newsletters a year in a minimum of two languages and organises key events for members in each country.

During 15 years, we have provided gatherings and opportunities to learn for 500 people.

Eurolink is part of the South of England Agricultural Society family.

Come and visit the South of England Agricultural Society show on the the 9th to the 11th of June 2011, more details can be found here.