On Friday 27 March, the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) launched Ireland’s first organic and biological Green Cert, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

National Organic Training Skillnet supports businesses of all sizes in the organic and agri food sectors. The network’s mission is to enhance Ireland’s diverse organic food industry by supporting the growth and sustainability of organic farms. The network is dedicated to meeting the skills needs of organic farmers, growers, processors, food businesses and advisors through subsidised upskilling programmes.

The newly validated organic and biological Green Cert programme aims to meet the rapidly growing need for skilled, professionally trained farmers in the organic and biological sectors. It was created to directly support the Irish organic sector’s transformation, which has seen growth from 1.6% of land farmed organically in 2020 to over 5% in 2025, with targets of reaching 10% by 2030 under the National Irish Organic Strategy.

Speaking about the programme, NOTS network manager Sean McGloin, said the launch was a “landmark” moment for the sector.

“For the first time, new entrants and developing farmers have access to a structured, accredited pathway built specifically around organic and biological principles. This programme gives them the skills, confidence, and scientific foundation needed to run resilient, future-focused farms.”

“The programme is probably 10 years in the making. NOTS is a nonprofit and is managed by a board. The steering group expressed a desire to look at this several years ago. To grow the organic sector, we thought it was important to make it more attractive for young people and show them what to do organically,” says Sean.

Initially, it was complicated for them to get the certification and all the existing modules needed to be updated. In 2023, they got their QQI centre status and were doing single modules of training in organic production and organic farming principles.

According to Sean, “the qualification is the same whether it’s organic or conventional; it’s just the learning is different.

“We wanted to make it open to conventional farmers as well, so we introduced the biological and regenerative element. If you’re an organic farmer, or a conventional farmer who is interested in organic and sustainable practices, this Green Cert is going to be done with that focus, a big element is going to be soil health, climate mitigation and agroforestry,” explains Sean. The programme will play a key role in building the skills and expertise needed to support farmers entering or transitioning to organic systems. It was developed in response to a shortage of formal training pathways in organic agriculture.

Learning structure

The new Green Cert provides a structured, QQI-approved educational route for new entrants, emerging growers, and farmers transitioning to organic systems. It is a Level 5 Certificate in Organic and Biological Agriculture, followed by the Level 6 advanced programme, which equips learners with modern, practical competencies in soil biology, organic crop and livestock systems, on-farm decision-making, and regenerative management practices.

“The programme is completed in stages; it’s not done in individual modules. It’s all combined into the business of agriculture, the support and information, and livestock and crops are the third stage. Level 6 is the fourth stage and is a more in-depth view of looking at all the elements,” says Sean.

The programme blends classroom learning, online supports, applied assignments, and on-farm demonstrations.

“Most of the learning for the programme will be done on farms with a mobile training unit that has space for 25 students and can be moved around to each location. The delivery of the learning is completed with five different farmers. The enterprises are beef and tillage, beef, sheep, sucklers, agritourism and finally dairy,” explains Sean.

The course officially started on Monday 23 March with the first 15 students. NOTS are hoping to run another group located in Tipperary in November or January, depending on funding,” says Sean.

For further information, see nots.ie