A fertile field in agricultural education

By Serena Gibbons, Teagasc Advisor

STUDENTS are in a fortunate position nowadays with lots of choice and course availability in agricultural education. However, this can also make it difficult to make the decision on which course is best, with a lot of factors influencing your choice;

Which course will bring the qualification I require? Will it suit my current home/work situation? Is completing the Green Cert all I need or will an alternative third level course in Agriculture also qualify students as young trained farmers? If I don’t get the points for a straight entry into a degree course, do I have options?

Green Cert Options

The Green Cert courses are available nationwide. The Green Cert also known as the Certificate in Agriculture is the most widely accepted course to qualify for the Dept. of Agriculture schemes such as the Young Farmers Scheme and TAMS. It is also the qualification required for Stamp Duty Exemption to those under 35 years of age on the transfer of land.

There are three options available to students wishing to complete the Green Cert: 1. Full time course in agricultural colleges which includes placement on a host farm. 2. Part-time course, available in regional Teagasc offices, to over 23-year-olds. 3. Distance course, available at colleges/some regional offices for students who hold a level 6 or higher non-Agriculture Award.

Note that students who successfully complete the Certificate in Agriculture/Advanced Certificate in Agriculture may have the opportunities to gain entry to higher education courses. This is a great opportunity to further your studies post Green Cert. Please contact the relevant higher education institute for further information.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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