Wexford is a proud farming county and boasts a noble tradition in education provision to the local farming and agricultural community. After all, the very first agricultural school in Ireland was opened in Wexford in 1850.”

So said Dr Janette Davies, campus co-ordinator of IT Carlow’s Wexford campus. She was speaking at the launch of a new agricultural course at IT Carlow’s Wexford campus: the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness.

IT Carlow worked in collaboration with the IFA and Teagasc to bring this course to fruition and meet local and regional demand. Students can apply via the CAO this year, with the CAO change-of-mind facility opening on 5 May and closing on 1 July. Students can apply for the Level 7 or Level 8 (honours) versions of the course through the CAO (they have separate course codes). For both programmes, students can exit after two years with a Level 6 Higher Certificate in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness.

ADVERTISEMENT

Course organisers say the programme was designed to bring together three major components central to the role of the farmer, or those in the agri sector: sustainable farm management, agribusiness and IT research skills.

The course is run out of IT Carlow’s Wexford campus, with some science lab work undertaken at the Carlow campus. Modules include farm buildings and regulations; farm mechanisation and regulation; animal and plant biology; agricultural sustainability, soil/plant interactions; nutrition, breeding; crop protection; farm business management; and IT and research skills.

A key component of the course are the regular site visits to farms and organic food producers to demonstrate best practice and enhance practical skill development, in addition to a 24-week work placement, facilitated by Teagasc.

Modern-day farms

Programme organisers say the degree will equip students with the skills required to own or manage modern-day farms of all sizes and graduates will acquire the management and entrepreneurial skills required if they wish to pursue careers in farm management, agribusiness or government and State agencies in the ag sector.

Those who complete the Level 7 version of the course are eligible to apply for entry to year four of the Level 8 programme, while those who do the Level 8 honours programme have the option of exiting after year three, with the Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness. Graduates of the Level 8 programme are eligible to apply for a range of postgraduate taught or research masters at IT Carlow.

Most of the programme participants will enter via the CAO, while mature applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and may be interviewed.