The Book That Grew: A Revolutionary Design in Sustainable Farming

Designer Fabiano Dalmacio's Innovative Grazing Guide for Irish Farmers

As the backbone of Ireland's economy, agriculture must evolve to ensure its survival. Recognizing this need, AIB, Ireland's leading bank for farmers, partnered with Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Their goal? To help farmers maximize sustainability by reimagining the use of Ireland's most abundant resource: grass.

"The Book That Grew" is a testament to this vision. It contains ten tangible lessons and ten pieces of practical advice designed to help farmers achieve ten rotations of grass grazing per year, producing ten tons of grass per hectare. This approach could significantly enhance the sustainability of even the most efficient farms.

What sets this book apart is its production process. Each page, word, and diagram in the book was shaped by real grass roots as they grew, manipulated by a unique fusion of gardening and meticulous craft. This innovative 'printing process' was fulfilled by nature itself, shaping the grass roots into legible symbols over a growth period of several weeks.

The creation of this book was a collaborative effort involving Rothco, part of Accenture Interactive, and various other entities. The project spanned from October 2018 to May 2019, taking place in Dublin and Amsterdam. The design process involved analyzing government reports and agricultural studies to identify key areas of inefficiency in farming. The team then used the latest research and data on sustainability to isolate the ten most effective methods of reducing emissions relevant to Irish farmers.

Designing for a root-based 'printing process' presented unique challenges. Every element, from words to symbols to borders, had to be interconnected by channels for the roots to navigate. Complex farming processes were compressed into a bite-sized visual language of bespoke symbols, each representing a specific action or process. The result is a practical, visually stunning guide that symbolizes the power of our natural resources when managed correctly.

In recognition of its groundbreaking design and contribution to sustainable farming, "The Book That Grew" was awarded Platinum in the A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award in 2021. This prestigious accolade recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that contribute to societal wellbeing. Indeed, "The Book That Grew" is more than just a design project; it's a testament to the power of innovation in shaping a sustainable future.