BY DANIEL O'NEILL
Bord Bia has announced the third year of its "Cultivating Talent" programme. The initiative aims to boost the next generation of garden designers and horticulture professionals.
The event offers financial support and mentoring for new designers. The event has been used to kickstart careers in garden design and has seen talents such as Joe Eustace, Nóra Tombor and Sarah Buckley emerge and present show gardens at Bord Bia Bloom in 2023 and 2024.
Joe Eustace, winner of the 2023 programme said, "I was following Bord Bia Bloom for years as a spectator as I had a huge interest in garden and landscape design but I would have always thought it was something that was above me. I heard about the Cultivating Talent initiative through my college network and going from a spectator to being involved has given me a huge boost as a designer. It was a great experience." Joe returned to Bord Bia Bloom with his own show garden in 2024.
The programme is open to garden designers and landscape architects who want to bring their first show garden to Bord Bia Bloom in 2025. All gardens should be designed with the environment in mind and measures to support biodiversity should be incorporated as standard.
The 2025 ‘Cultivating Talent’ programme is sponsored by Westland Horticulture, and Bord Bia Bloom takes place from May 29 to June 2, 2025.
Applications are being accepted until November 26. More information at www.bordbiabloom.com/participate
