The closing date for the Organic Growers of Ireland’s “Organic Farming Internship Programme in Horticulture” is tomorrow, Friday 25 March.
The programme has been designed for growers who want to upskill and ultimately pursue a career in the organic horticultural sector, by learning directly from growers who are well established.
The Organic Growers of Ireland was set up seven years ago to represent the needs and views of Irish growers, and this programme was borne out of a “need for people already doing it to pass on skills to the next generation,” says project co-ordinator Jason Horner. “And there is a market for the produce.”
Up to 10 places
There are seven places on the programme, but it can potentially take up to 10 people. Participants will be employed directly on a commercial organic farm and seven farms are signed up as host farms.
Three of these are located in Galway, while there is one each in Offaly, Athy, Wicklow and near Edenderry in Kildare.
When filling out the application form, candidates can choose their top three farms to work on.
Jason Horner sends the applications on to the farms, who then decide who to interview and offer positions accordingly.
Pay rate
The pay rate is the trainee rate under the National Minimum Wage Act. The act provides certain criteria, which the training course must meet if the trainee rates are to apply.
For six months, the pay is €6.86/hour for the first two months, €7.32/hour for the second two months and €8.24 per hour for the last two months. The minimum hours for the programme are 30 hours, but most participants do 40 hours.
It’s not all work, however, as the internship includes a very structured training programme, which is funded by the Department of Agriculture. It involves six days of what is for the most part classroom learning, which takes place in one central location one day a week every two to three weeks.
This classroom learning covers major aspects of organic horticulture such as weed control, machinery, pest and disease and marketing.
There are also three days of farm walks. These see participants do two farm walks a day. As part of the internship, participants also complete a FETAC Level 5 course by distance learning.
On completion
Once the programme is completed, candidates will get a certificate of completion from the Organic Growers of Ireland.
According to Jason Horner, this course may be of great interest to farmers.
“We’re looking to try and attract people who are already in farming – who are maybe looking to diversify,” says Jason.
“A dry-stock farmer, for example, might be interested in doing horticulture. Or there might be farmers who are organic already and would like to go into horticulture.
“In the UK, a lot of people who do courses like this come from cities – they don’t have any horticulture background.
“A big issue in the UK is access to land, but that’s not as much of an issue here.”
Jason says that host farms are looking for the right person with the right attitude. “If you’re the right person and you’re motivated, then anyone can do it,” says Jason.
He says that even someone with a Level 8 degree in horticulture would learn a lot from this programme.
The closing date for applications is 25 March.
Those interested in this programme can fill out application forms, which are available on the Organic Growers of Ireland website (www.organicgrowersireland.ie).
more info
For more information contact Jason Horner, project co-ordinator on 087-645-4120 or email hime on futuregrowers1@gmail.com
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