Clon Ag College has courses for all levels

UP TO a dozen training courses at every level from 80 Hour Farm Management to degree level are now being offered at Clonakilty Agricultural College, making it a vital Co Cork location for agricultural training and rural development.

The core courses are the FETAC Advanced Certificate in Agriculture to level 5, the FETAC Advanced Certificate in Agriculture to level 6, and the FETAC Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management.

A FETAC Adult Advanced Certificate in Agriculture course has recently been introduced, specifically to suit part-time farmers. Instruction will take place at night and at weekends, and some modules will be presented through video conference link to BIM Castletownbere to help students travelling long distances from that area of Co Cork.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture run in conjunction with Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is proving very successful, with numbers almost doubling this year . Graduates can progress to the B Agr Sc degree at UCD, or the Degree in Food Science at UCC.

The Hons Degree in Herbal Science course, in conjunction with CIT, started this year . The soil science and practical elements of this course are taught in the college, as well as development of herbal gardens, using the college’s glasshouses and other facilities.

The Diploma in Equine Science course is based in the college, video conferenced from Limerick University three nights per week for 30 students. The college also runs an 80 Hour Farm Management Course in July each year for about 50 students from all over Ireland, and also runs this course by e-learning for a further 20 students.

The college also carries out Host Farmer Training, Corporate Training for agri-business firms and advisory group farm walks.

West Cork LEADER and West Cork Enterprise Board make intensive use of the college facilities for meetings and computer training.

Graduates from Clonakilty have the confidence, ability and competence to exploit the huge array of opportunities in commercial farming, farm management and agri-business, said college principal J J Harty, at the recent presentation of FETAC Certificates to more than 40 students, The graduates, from as far away as Co Mayo and Wicklow, successfully completed the National Certificate in Agriculture and the Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management. Ex-Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh, TD, presented the certificates, and the Student of the Year award to Maurice Carey, The graduates also included William Morris, William Morris, the 2005 FBD Student of the Year and recipient of the ICMSA bursary.