Courses- Introduction to Organic Production -  Pre-Requisite for entry to the Organic Farming Scheme

News | 04 Jan 2011

The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) provides payments for operators who wish to convert their holding to organic production and also to existing organic operators who have completed their REPS 3 contract. For new entrants to organic farming, two new pre-requisites to entry to the organic system will prevail.

Firstly, each individual considering conversion to organic production must have undergone an approved course dealing with the rules and regulations of Organic Farming - this MUST be a Fetac Level 5 accredited course in Organic Production or a course which is deemed to be equivalent to such a course - see the terms and conditions of the scheme for full details relating to the latter.  Secondly, each individual must complete a 5 year viable business plan in relation to their proposed organic enterprises.

Teagasc are now hosting a series of 25 hour FETAC accredited courses in Organic Production.  On completion of the course, participants will be proficient in:

*  Interpreting organic standards
*  The principles of organic production
*  The origin and history of organic production
*  Assessing the economic viability and market opportunities of organic production (an integral part of this module will be the completion of the required 5 year Business Plan which will be necessary to be approved for payments under the OFS).

These courses will qualify applicants for entry to the Organic Farming Scheme .

All courses will run from 10 am to 4 pm one day per week over five consecutive weeks.  The cost of the course will be two hundred euro which must be funded by the participants, however, it is important to appreciate that included in this cost will be the production of the mandatory 5 year business plan which is necessary to gain entry to the OFS Scheme.  Once completed, the business plan must be verified and signed off by an Agricultural Advisor/Agricultural Consultant (i.e. a person with a primary degree or higher qualification in agricultural science). 

New entrants must also complete a business plan (completion of the requisite business plan forms an integral part of the approved 25 hour course) - details of the approved organic courses are available from Elaine Leavy, Teagasc Grange, 087 9853285; James McDonnell, Teagasc Oakpark, 087 3293820; Dan Clavin, Teagasc Athenry, 087 9368506 and Pat Barry, Teagasc Moorepark, 087 2138331.  The next tranche of organic courses which will allow new operators to qualify for payments under the OFS (Organic Farming Scheme) are outlined below:

Kilmallock - Commencing Tuesday March 29th 2011 and Killarney commencing Wednesday March 30th 2011 (phone Pat Barry for details - number above)
Castlerea - Commencing Tuesday March 29th 2011 and Ennis commencing Thursday March 31st 2011 (phone Dan Clavin for details - number above).
Sligo - Commencing Monday March 28th 2011 and Ballyhaise commencing Friday April 1st 2011 (phone Elaine Leavy for details - phone number above)
Mullinavat - Commencing Thursday March 31st 2011 and Oakpark commencing Friday April 1st 2011 (phone James McDonnell for details - phone number above).

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