Course Aim

This course has been developed to meet the training requirements for full-time or part-time farmers with Level 6 or higher non-farming qualifications. This course meets the training requirement for Stamp Duty Exemption. The course includes public good aspects such as the environment, farm safety and animal welfare as well as modules dealing with production agriculture, farm business management and succession.

Course Duration and Location

This part-time course extends to over one and a half to two years and is offered at Regional Educational Centres and Agricultural Colleges. Some of the coursework may be organised to coincide with annual holiday periods so as to facilitate part-time farmers.

Course Content

The course is composed of mandatory modules and elective modules. Students with Level 6 non-farming qualifications gain exemptions from some modules.

The main components of the Advanced Certificate in Agriculture for non-farming Level 6 award holders are:

• 200 hours of formal coursework and practical training
• Maintenance of a Home Farm Involvement Diary during the first six months
• Attendance at six discussion meetings, as a member of a discussion group
• An Enterprise Management Project during the final 12 months
• Maintenance of a Management Practice Diary while involved in the management of the home farm during the final 12 months
• Achievement of four proficiency modules.
• On successful completion of the course students are awarded the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture.