Teagasc and Gurteen Agricultural College have commenced a joint part-time Advanced Certificate in Agriculture course for farmers. Twenty-five participants, from Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Laois and Galway, twice-weekly exchange the herd book for the course text book.
 
The course, aimed primarily at part-time farmers with off-farm employment who are not in a position to attend a full-time course, provides the participants with the knowledge, skills and competencies to run and manage their home farms in today’s challenging times. It also offers the participants the opportunity to progress into various higher level courses and assists them in seeking employment in farm management and the agri-business sector.
 
Subjects covered in the course are: animal and crop production, machinery, farm planning and budgeting, soils and environment and health and safety. The course is provided through a series of classroom lectures on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. In addition, a series of eight skills training and practical days are held throughout the course.
 
Participants also complete diaries, farm accounts and enterprise records on their home farm together with a farm business plan. Discussion group meetings, facilitated by Teagasc enterprise advisers, are held to further help the participants in planning and developing their own farms.
 
College lecturers and Teagasc education officers give lectures and facilitate practical demonstrations.
 
On successful completion of the course the participants will be awarded the FETAC Advanced Certificate in Agriculture. This Level meets the training requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption and for Installation Aid.