Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry, and to rural communities. Combining cutting-edge modern developments with traditional practical skills, Teagasc offers a unique, hands-on learning experience – with an exciting selection of courses available across all aspects of the agriculture, horticulture, forestry and equine sectors.

Education and training options are provided in Teagasc education centres, in agriculture and horticulture colleges – and in collaboration with universities and institutes of technology across the country. They are also in the process of developing a range of apprenticeships through 2022 and 2023, including Sportsturf Technician, Horticulturist, Assistant Stud Manager, Farm Technician and Farm Manager – all of which will be validated by QQI.

Speaking to Hot Press earlier this year, Dr. Anne-Marie Butler, the Head of the Teagasc Education programme, made the point that it’s a really exciting time to be embarking on a journey in the modern agriculture sector. There are so many dynamic developments taking place.

“We have tremendous people here in the country who are producing top-dollar food and top-dollar technology,” she said. “So it’s very important that we keep educating our learners to maintain efficiency while safeguarding our environment.

“We’re very lucky in Teagasc that we have Research, Education and Advisory all under the one umbrella,” she added. “Whatever the latest research findings are, we bring that into the classroom, in a very practical way. A lot of the great research work that’s going on in greenhouse gases, climate, and grassland technology is happening within Teagasc – so it’s very easy for us to bring it into the colleges and put it in front of students.”

PASSION FOR FARMING

Dave Moloney from Co. Cork is a graduate, whose success to date is a testament to the benefits of learning with Teagasc. Dave completed the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming in the Teagasc education centre in Macroom. This course also leads to the ‘Green Cert’, which qualifies a person as a ‘trained farmer’.

There are several Teagasc routes to a ‘Green Cert’ – including full-time agricultural courses, part-time and distance agricultural courses as well as full-time horticultural, forestry and equine ‘Green Cert’ courses.

Dave – who received the Drystock Student Category Award, before being named as the overall Teagasc/FBD Student of the year 2021 – is very involved in the operation of his home farm.

Dave cheerfully admits that he was one of those young fellas who didn’t have any real interest in school, so to come along fifteen years later, and win such an award, is a massive achievement for him – and an honour for his family.

“School wasn’t for me,” he smiles. “I left when I was 16 and went working straight away. I was working for contractors, driving tractors – I thought I was great. That changed when it came to taking over the farm. I needed a bit of education behind me. I needed the course. That’s what really pushed me to do the part-time course with Teagasc. I realised the Green Cert is a must.”

Dave, who is 34 now, contacted local Macroom Teagasc education officer Patrick Flannery. He started the course in 2019, which involved one day and one evening per week.

“The group of 15 students got on really well together,” says Dave. “When you have a passion for farming, the course didn’t seem that hard – because it’s something you’re interested in.”

He also recalls how the delivery of the course was really engaging, “I was always picking up something to use on the beef farm at home,” he says. “I loved the practical work at the college – weighing and assessing the weights of cattle. It wasn’t anything like school.”

NEVER TOO LATE

During the course, Dave was struck by the advantages of learning about other businesses as well.

“It’s amazing,” he observes, “to see what other farms are doing – and can do – compared to what you’re doing. You’d always learn something new, take something home.”

Highlighting the business and communications modules that are part of the course, Dave enthuses about how important they were when it came to the financial side of things – and to the family’s plans to develop the farm further.

“If you go into the bank to apply for a loan or anything else you must sell yourself,” he says. “I was able to go in and explain what I wanted to do and where I wanted to see the business in ten years time, and they backed me.”

It’s never too late to further your education. Dave says he finally decided to pursue the course when his fiancé said she would do a course in her own profession at the same time. The truth is that we all benefit from learning more.

“I’d say if you have an interest in farming definitely do it,” Dave says. “My only regret is that I didn’t do it years ago!”

• See the list of upcoming open days below and teagasc.ie/collegeopendays for further information.

Teagasc Open Days

Mountbellew Agricultural College, Mountbellew, Co. Galway
Wednesday 5 October 2022 | 10.00am to 12.30pm

Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan
Friday 7 October 2022 | 10.00am to 1.00pm

Teagasc Clonakilty Agricultural College, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Friday 7 October 2022 |11.00am to 1.00pm

Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny
Friday 7 October 2022 | Tours start at 10.00am &; 11.00am

Gurteen College, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co Tipperary
Friday 14 October 2022 | 10.30am to 12.30pm

Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens
Thursday 13 October 2022 | 12 noon to 3.00pm

Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick
Saturday 5 November 2022 | 11.00am to 1.00pm