Organic Growing and Sustainable Living Skills
Leading to a FETAC Level 5 certificate in ‘Organic Horticulture’.
One Year full-time course. (Part time options available)
This course is the only one of its kind in Ireland and runs from mid September to late May. It features lectures, demonstrations and group discussions, field trips and tours.
The course consists of modules, some of which are nationally written and common to other Education bodies under FETAC. Many of the modules have been specially written by teachers within the Organic and Co-operative movement. Because it is modular based and nationally certified, students wishing to continue to study further can have their awards recognised at whatever level achieved.
The Modules included in this course are as follows:
Plant Science - the promotion of successful plant growth and health through plant nutrition, breeding techniques and integrated pest management.
Soil and Growing media - manipulation of media to provide ideal conditions for growth, fertility building with management techniques and green manures.
Plant Identification - The skills of recognising and propagating a range of plants, trees and shrubs.
Food Crops - This Module covers vegetable, fruit and herbs. It covers the production, disease and pest control, harvesting and marketing of a full range of food crops.
Organic Production - principles, standards, Earth Education, Permaculture, Biodynamic Growing, Developing markets and Current Environmental Issues.
Co-operative Enterprise - preparation of accounts, product development, marketing and business planning including mini co-operative experience and direct selling of produce.
Communications - verbal and non-verbal with language development opportunities in Irish and English.
Work placement and Evaluation - this consists of one day a week and a block period of 2 weeks spent working in the organic horticulture area, with evaluation of progress and skills learned.
In addition, you can optionally choose to study Sustainable Development. This combines Organic Agricultural skills with practical and interactive activities that focus on your interests to help develop knowledge and understanding relating to global poverty and underdevelopment.
The course examines issues including:
- Globalisation, free trade and Fair Trade
- GM and bio-patenting
- Animal welfare
- Third world debt
- Global food distribution and agribusiness
- Permaculture
- LETS, Woodland Crafts, Heritage Plant Conservation and Seed Saving
Students who participate in the course have access to the two horticultural gardens and the 26 acre organic farm to pursue projects and enterprises of their own choice.
At least half of the course work is in the form of practical work, either at the college or on placement.
There will be a maximum number of 20 participants on the sustainable development part of the course which will allow for direct personal contact with the college staff.
The course attracts people who wish to understand the global context of sustainable development and how it relates to local issues. People may wish to pursue a career abroad working for International Development organisations or work here in Ireland on developing local solutions for a more just and sustainable world.
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