Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management graduation
The 2021 Graduates of the Teagasc/UCD Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark, recently.
The awards were presented by Dr. Stan Lalor, Director of Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc and Dr. Karina Pierce, Associate Professor in Dairy Production at University College Dublin.
Stan Lalor congratulated the 17 graduates and their families on the significant achievement of graduating with a dairy farm management diploma. Dr Lalor emphasised the important role each graduate will play in the future success on the Irish dairy industry owing to the significant level of practical skills and technical knowledge gained over the two years of the programme. He acknowledged the contribution of the Teagasc staff who deliver the programme as well as the continued commitment of host farmers who provide invaluable mentoring to students and generously give of their time and farm information to support student learning.
Karina Pierce congratulated the graduates on behalf of UCD. Dr Pierce commended the graduates for their resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting to an online learning environment. She encouraged each graduate to continue to take advantage of opportunities to learn and develop themselves, in order to overcome the many challenges facing the industry.
Ross Borton, Newbridge, Co Kildare is pictured receiving the Student of the Year award from sponsors Paul Hennessy, Farm Apprenticeship Board and Jerry Twomey, Irish Farm Managers Association and Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education, Teagasc at the presentation of Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management in Teagasc Moorepark. Photo O'Gorman Photography.
The overall Student of the Year award from the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course went to Ross Borton from Newbridge, County Kildare. Prior to completing the Level 7 diploma, Ross completed the Bachelor of Agriculture at Waterford Institute of Technology in conjunction with the Teagasc Kildalton Agricultural College. During his two years completing the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course, he worked with Ger and Margaret Pardy in County Offaly and Pat Hennessy in County Kildare. The Student of the Year award is recognised by the Farm Apprenticeship Board, Irish Farm Managers Association and the Master Farmers.
Pictured in Moorepark at the presentation of Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management are Dr Stan Lalor, Director of Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc; grassland Student of the Year Máire Keohane, Clonakilty, Co Cork; and Associate Professor Karina Pierce, UCD. Photo O'Gorman Photography
The grassland Student of the Year award went to Máire Keohane from Clonakilty, County Cork. This award was based on a comprehensive assessment Máire completed in 2nd year where she worked with John Macnamara, County Limerick. The grassland Student of the Year award is by recognised by the Blackwater Discussion Group.