Teagasc Online Education Q&A May 2013 with John Kelly, Principal of Teagasc Clonakilty College and John Mulhern, Principal of Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens,
Q1: Are there any night time Agriculture Courses? I work full time, and would be interested in doing a course in agriculture so that I can farm part time, with the option of farming full time in the future. Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013 after 5pm. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. The Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and the FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration is run part time over three years in 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. You should contact your local Teagasc office to find out when it is next due to start. Q2: Is it possible to continue with a full time job and complete the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non-Agriculture Award Holders? Do the fees have to be paid with registration in May or at the start of the course in September? What is the amount of time spent in class on campus per week? Is it possible to continue with a full time job and complete the course? Yes the participants are usually able to arrange their time around the day job. If block release is part of the course for skills participation in a centre, students usually arrange their holidays around this. Do the fees have to be paid with registration in May or at the start of the course in September? The fees are usually payable up front. What is the amount of time spent in class on campus per week? The online course model extends over 12-15 months and up to 20 days over that period are spent at the centre or college. This timetable of days varies from location to location so the best bet is to get this at registration in May from the course coordinator. The block release can be up to a week at a time but when you get your schedule then you can plan your days off and holidays with your employer. The course is challenging if you are working full time and planning your work and assignments in advance is vital.
Q3: I'm currently in year 3 horticulture in Waterford. My main area of interest and work is large scale field vegetable production with a small bit of corn. Use of large modern machinery is a main part of my work. I was wondering about my options for year 4, I don't know whether I would be better doing the Hort add on or the Ag add on, I know both are similar enough but the Ag offers livestock production and crop management which would give a bit of variety along with the business side of things. However maybe it's not worthwhile doing year 4 at all or maybe there are other courses available? Look forward to your reply. The level 7 is a great qualification as it reinforces both business and production in Horticulture.You have probably done field crop production as an elective in year 3.Going on to do year 4 will be a huge advantage to you I would say regardless of whether you do Hort or Ag. If you continue with your learning you will have an honours degree this time next year.. only 2 more 12 week semesters Remember that some employers recognise a level 8 before a level 7 when it comes to interview If your business has livestock then the Ag qualification would be more desirable from your own perspective The key thing you have to decide is going on to level 8 and my advice is to absolutely go for it now as it is very difficult to get back into it if it s left on the long finger. If you would like to discuss further. Contact me (John Mulhern) at 087 9613860 Best of luck Q4: I applied for the level 5 horticulture in the botanic gardens. I was told there will be an interview in august. If I get into the course when does it start? Is it possible to apply for the back to education if I get in? What s the course in general like? Is there an open day or anything like that coming up? In the course do students have to give presentations? We are still receiving applications for the level 5 in Hort in the Botanic gardens. We will hope to write to all applicants in early June and call them for an interview in July. The course this year will start on the 2nd September. The course has 28 weeks course work and 4 weeks work experience students will finish in Mid may 2014 and will then be looking to progress onto level 6 or 7. The back to education grant is available to recipients of Social welfare and they should contact their local community welfare officer who will guide the process. The course is very varied in that in any given week a student will spend 3 days in the college doing class work (either in the classroom or around the Botanic gardens) and the remaining 2 days are on work experience with the parks service in Dublin or with local hosts in the students own area.
We cover 9 subjects as follows Plant Science, Plant Protection, Hort Mechanisation, Plant ID and Use, Soil Science and Growing Media,Work Practise,Landscape construction and maintenance/ Fruit and Veg production, Plant propagation,leadership. This all adds up to 120 credits. As part of leadership students are given different assignments which help to develop their own skills in this area and part of this would be giving presentations in small groups on topics of their own choosing. We had our last open day in March but we are very open to meeting a prospective student at any time if they wish to contact us and arrange Myself or one of the staff will be glad to talk you through exactly what goes on during the course and the options and career opportunities that will arise. http://www.teagasc.ie/botanicgardens/index.asp Q5: I have studied and completed a course in GMIT (Ag and Environmental management) and was wondering where would be the best place to further my education or if there would be internships available. I am very interested in agriculture and would like to take up a career in that field. Any information would greatly be appreciated In Teagasc you have two areas that you should keep an eye on, one is our current vacancies and the other is our postgraduate opportunities. Both of theses can be found at http://www.teagasc.ie/opportunities You can subscribe with your email address to be alerted to vacancies as they arise. Our postgraduate opportunities are called The Walsh Fellowships. Teagasc have up to 30 new places each year with a grant of 21,000 per student. Further information can be found at http://www.teagasc.ie/research/postgrad Q6: I am looking for advice re. training. I completed my Certificate in Farming in Warrenstown College in Meath in 1996/97, but have since gone down a different career path. However agriculture is still something I have an interest in. I would be interested in learning more about estate/farm management. What would my next steps be? What training/further education would I need or is available? Can it be done part-time? With regards to farm management Teagasc offers the Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management (Level 7). This programme incorporates two years professional work experience on registered dairy farms with the option to work overseas. Students part take in discussion groups and complete modules on block release in participating Teagasc colleges and in the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre Moorepark. The entry requirements are that you must possess a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or an equivalent major agricultural award.
You could also consider applying to an Institute of Technology as a mature applicant with a view to completing a Level 7 or 8 Degree in Agriculture. These courses are run in conjunction with Teagasc in CIT, WIT and Dundalk IT. You should talk to the Mature Student Officer in your local IT for further details. Q7: I'm wondering what's my best road to take, I m working on a dairy farm at the minute, I m 24 I really enjoy farming, is a farm manager course the way to go? If you have no qualification and you enjoy the work you are currently at then becoming a qualified dairy farm manager would defiantly be the career to follow. Firstly you would need to complete the FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture at you local Agricultural College. Applications are currently being accepted for September 2013 entry. This course runs from the beginning of September until the middle of May 2014. This includes 12 weeks practical learning on a registered host farm from February to April. On completion of this course you would be eligible to apply for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management. This commences with a further 12 weeks practical learning on a registered farm, either in Ireland or abroad (Many students go to New Zealand). After this students return to College to complete 18 weeks of course work. The course finishes in May each year. The final stage in becoming a qualified dairy farm manager requires the completion of the Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management (Level 7). This programme incorporates two years professional work experience on registered dairy farms with the option to work overseas. Students part take in discussion groups and complete modules on block release in participating Teagasc colleges and in the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre Moorepark. Q8: I'd like to find out more about doing the green cert. I have been told that since I don't have papers for the trade I work at or I don't have a college course done that I would have to go to agricultural college for a long period of time and that I cannot do it online. I am 30 and have purchased a 40 acre farm of land along with my father. I am interested in doing the course but not spending that length of time off work and travelling to college and so on. At the end of the day exactly how valuable would the green cert be to me, a young farmer starting up. Whenever there will be grants again will they go only to the Green Certs? I'd appreciate any info you have for me. The Green Cert qualification in Agriculture is absolutely vital for you to develop your farm and your business in the very competitive environment that exists for farmers today.
The qualification will enable the following: An understanding of the basics of production aspects of Agriculture An understanding of the business concepts of Agriculture An understanding of the metrics or measurables that need to be refined in any business to make it prosper and succeed. A collaboration with other young minds that are eager to develop their businesses. Group and individual (home farm) farm planning activities with Teagasc staff... an exposure to Teagasc farm planning and cash flow software packages. Discussion group work which is a proven platform for increased profits on participant farms. The younger generation of farmers need to develop skill sets that will be independent of grant aided farming in the future. This is why an examination of the efficiencies within the farm gate is critical to study. It's hard to predict what the future will hold for "grants" but in the past "qualified" (i.e. with a green cert at level 6) farmers have benefited from grant top ups in certain pollution schemes for example. The course meets the training requirements for stamp duty exemption also which may be substantial. I think that the greater prize in having done the qualification is the personal development and growth that students garner from participation... that will lead to a broadening of the mind and a desire for greater performance on the home farm. Q9: Have a cert in agricultural after one year course in Teagasc Clonakilty Agricultural College in 2000/2001. What is my best route to getting a "green cert"? You need to complete a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate or a FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration to achieve a Green Cert. This is a part time course run over 12 months in each agricultural college. Applications are currently being accepted for commencement this summer. Q10: Is there an equivalent of the green cert (distance online option) for degree holders running in 2013? Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc
Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. The course is scheduled to be delivered at locations in County Meath, Roscommon, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork East, Mullingar, and Kilmallock, County Limerick starting in 2013. Q11: Why is the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert so expensive compared to the standard course? The fee for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option is 2,100. The standard course which you refer to involves completing the following two courses which would cost a total of 2,260. Certificate in Agriculture (FT) Level 5 910. An additional fee of 1,000 applies to applicants with a previous Level 6 qualification. Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration (for Stamp Duty Exemption) (PT) Level 6 350 Q12: I m currently finishing a postgraduate diploma in Food marketing, cooperative organisation and rural development and have a strong passion in the agriculture field, is my qualification enough to get employment in the Ag. Sector and what lines of employment do you think I should be targeting or should I embark on another course? Gaining employment in the Agricultural Sector with your qualification would largely be determined by what area of the industry you want to work in. You have given no information on your primary degree which would also be an important consideration for most employers. I would think that you should concentrate on the food production sector as a career which relates to your qualification. Q13: What are the benefits of doing the green cert course for a son or daughter on a family farm? The Green Cert refers to a list of agriculture courses or agricultural science courses which qualifies a person as a trained farmer. In Teagasc you must obtain a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate or a FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration to achieve a Green Cert. There are many ways to obtain one of these qualifications in Teagasc including fulltime education in a Teagasc college or part time in one of the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. It takes a minimum of 2 years to
complete this training and the content gives graduates the skills to run a farm business. Having a Green Cert is also one of the conditions of stamp duty exemption on the transfer of a farm to a son or daughter. It also meets the criteria for schemes or grants that may be available from time to time. Q14: Can you do any green certs at night in Kerry? Yes you can do it in Kerry. You should contact the local Education Officer, Brendan Sullivan on 064 21718 Q15: I am a qualified agriculture mechanic, looking to do green cert, is there somewhere I can do it part time, if so where and what would cost be... Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from 5pm on Friday 26th April 2013. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. The course payment in the form of a current cheque, bank draft or postal order for the amount of 2,100 made payable to Teagasc. The course payment is not refundable after the start of the course. The course is scheduled to be delivered at locations in County Meath, Roscommon, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork East, Mullingar, and Kilmallock, County Limerick Q16: I did 2 yrs of a 3 yr Horticulture course in the botanic gardens but did not complete the course, would I be eligible for the green cert? This brings up a few questions.what year did you finish in the College? Did you get an actual award from the College..? If so what was it called? From this we may be able to get a clearer picture and supply you with more accurate info Q17: I am a second year agricultural student studying in UCD. I was wondering do Teagasc have any summer internships for second year students or any summer work available for second year students. Some area managers have situations whereby they can take on students from UCD for example. I know that some are engaged with Teagasc advisers on the current Area Aid scheme. Your best bet is to contact your local Teagasc office to see if there are any positions available. If you are near a college there may be some work experience available here also. Sorry I can t be more specific but individual units are worth a try. These can be accessed at http://www.teagasc.ie/contacts/office_locator.asp Q18: I am currently finishing up getting my foundation degree in agriculture in the UK. I am planning to head back home to Cork to go farming, I was
just wondering can my qualification get me a green cert or is it recognised back home in Ireland? I would need more information on the degree to give you advice on this question; can you email me the list of subjects of each year of your degree and I will get back to you tomorrow. john.kelly@teagasc.ie Q19: Do you need a leaving cert to get into agricultural college? Strictly speaking you do not need a leaving cert to get into Ag College. However it is a huge help nowadays to have the LC under your belt as you are embarking on a level 5 Ag course which can be quite challenging academically so the more learning you have completed before you enter the better chance you have of completing the course successfully. Its one thing getting in to Ag College, the real prize is getting out successfully and being able to adapt the learning to your farming situation Q20: I have being brought up on a small diary farm and at 25 years old I continue to hold a strong interest in farming. I currently work full time as a building surveyor but farm every evening on the farm with my father. As my father is of the older generation I am starting to plan ahead with the vision of inheriting the farm when my father takes retirement. I don't have any agricultural courses studied to date. Can I inherit the current family herd number and continue farming it as it is or do I need to complete an agricultural course to take full control of the farm and if so what courses should I follow? Also as I am currently in full time employment is there a part-time course or online course option available? Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. If you have a suitable qualification relating to your work then you would be eligible to join this programme. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers which would otherwise be payable on the transfer of the farm. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013 after 5pm. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. Q21: Could u please let me know how much it cost to do level 7 in amenity horticulture?
The fee or Student contribution payable to WIT for 2012-2013 is 2,250. This is set to increase by 250 for the next academic year. This level 7 is done in conjunction with WIT and is entirely based in Teagasc Dublin in the Botanic Gardens and Teagasc Kinsealy currently. Students are exposed to section work on the gardens as part of their programme in first year and complete placement in second year with a host of their own choosing. More details at www.teagasc.ie/botanicgardens Q22: Hello I am currently doing my level 8 BSc in ecology and I am wondering do I qualify for the online green cert course and if so how do I register. The online course is offered to students who have a level 6 or higher non agricultural qualification. The level 6 or higher must be a major award. Your qualification in ecology is fine for this. This course can last from 15 to 18 months course locations and dates are available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege The courses are run subject to demand and your best bet is to contact an education officer in your local Teagasc office. Q23: Are the green certs still in existence with Teagasc? Or how can I go about obtaining one? The Green Cert refers to a list of agriculture courses or agricultural science courses which qualifies a person as a trained farmer. In Teagasc you must obtain a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate or a FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration to achieve a Green Cert. There are many ways to obtain one of these qualifications in Teagasc including fulltime education in a Teagasc college or part time in one of the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. Q24: I want to do my green cert. I have 29 acres and I m 33 from New Ross, Co Wexford. Can it be done online? If you have a previous major award at Level 6 in a non agriculture related discipline, i.e. a qualified apprentice with FAS, or a higher certificate from an Institute of Technology, then you can complete the Green Cert with Teagasc part time over 15-18 months. This course is called the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months.
Q25: I'm wondering if one can do the Fetac level 5 in agriculture part time or through distance learning. I am not in a position to do a full time course. The Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and the FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration is run part time over three years in 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. You should contact your local Teagasc office to find out when it is next due to start. Q26: When will the application form for the level 6 online course be up on the website? Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013 after 5pm. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. Q27: Can u tell me what s the story with the online green cert I have a level 6 agricultural engineering degree and I m in 3rd year now in ittralee for level 7 pending results, what topics do u cover in it. is there any jobs going in my qualification I m from Kerry my level 7 is pending result in June. I m finished college the 23 May and wont be going back next year so I m searching for a job any idea of what I would be doing if u were looking for a agricultural engineering degree with level 6 pending results level 7 in ittralee.ie. I don t have any job experience at all. Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013 from 5pm. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. As far as opportunities for Agricultural Engineering graduates go, it is very important that you gain experience. You may have to start off with machinery operation work such as silage work. You could also consider doing harvest work in the UK, Australia or the USA. Many US universities can organise internships for students who which to gain experience in machinery operation. Once you gain experience you will be in a better position to apply for opportunities that come up within the agricultural machinery industry. Q28: I'm 29 and have no Agricultural qualification yet - in order to qualify for stamp duty relief etc when I go on to inherit the family farm. I already have a degree - Level 8 from an Institute of Technology and am working
away in a good job so my time is at a premium and my options are somewhat restricted by this, in that I cannot enrol in a full time course. What are my options? I did read something in the Irish Farmers Journal recently - by Peter Young that perhaps over the next while Third Level Institutes may in fact offer courses that are currently only offered by Teagasc. Does anybody have any advice on this? Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013 from 5pm. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. I am not aware of any other education provider offering this course. Q29: Are there any night time Agriculture Courses? I work full time, and would be interested in doing a course in agriculture so that I can farm part time, with the option of farming full time in the future. Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013 after 5pm. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. The Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and the FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration is run part time over three years in 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. You should contact your local Teagasc office to find out when it is next due to start. Q30: When I receive the farm from my father in the future? Should I or do I have to have done a course in college to avail of grants The Green Cert refers to a list of agriculture courses or agricultural science courses which qualifies a person as a trained farmer. One of the conditions for stamp duty exemption on the transfer of a farm is that you must have a Green Cert. Many schemes or grants have also an agricultural education requirement.
In Teagasc you must obtain a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate or a FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration to achieve a Green Cert. There are many ways to obtain one of these qualifications in Teagasc including fulltime education in a Teagasc college or part time in one of the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. Q31: I am considering going back to study this autumn an agricultural course but need help in deciding which course is the right one to choose as I am a mature student with a full time job. I would like to study to degree level. Are there part time courses available either at night in centres or on line through the web? Is there a contact number for the right person that I could call for some advice? To obtain a Level 7 or Level 8 degree in Agriculture or Agricultural Science you would have to go to a third level institute or university full time. Level 7 would take three years and Level 8 would take four years. If you wish to talk further about this you should contact your local agricultural college. Q32: I am enquiring about the green cert. I am graduating from a Masters in Engineering this October, but I have it in my head to do the green cert. I am a dairy farmer s son, and the farm will come to me in time. Can you advise me on how best to get on with it (application etc)? I am based in Cork at the moment, and the Farm is in Kilbrin Co. Cork. A: Teagasc provide a distance learning programme for graduates who already hold a non agricultural major award at Level 6 or higher. This programme meets the education requirement for Stamp Duty Relief for young trained farmers. The title of this course is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. Q33: I'd like to inquire about the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management available in certain colleges. My query is related to entry requirements? Do you have to complete the level 5 in agriculture? I've heard from other sources that you can enter the level 6 if you've already completed other Fetac courses. Like myself having a degree in renewable energy already (level 7). I'm almost 26 and don't have the time or capital to spend 2 years in education?
You must first complete the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture. Applications are currently being accepted by the 6 agricultural colleges. You would not be eligible to apply for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management with your existing degree. Another option for you would be to complete Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture Distance Learning Option. This course is delivered in agricultural colleges and in the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres on predefined days over the 15-18 months. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from Friday 26th April 2013. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. Once you have this course completed you would be eligible to apply for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management. Q34: I am looking for some information on completing a Green Cert. Is it possible to do the cert online or what method do you recommend? I have tried to google it but there's very little information about it. The Green Cert refers to a list of agriculture courses or agricultural science courses which qualifies a person as a trained farmer. In Teagasc you must obtain a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate or a FETAC Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration to achieve a Green Cert. There are many ways to obtain one of these qualifications in Teagasc including fulltime education in a Teagasc college or part time in one of the 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres. You should contact your local Teagasc office or Agricultural College if you have any further queries Q35: I am enquiring about Stamp Relief exemption. I am a UCD Agricultural Graduate, I am getting married soon. My partner has no agricultural qualifications. Both of us are from farms and will inherit both farms in the future. I am just wonder does he need a "Green Cert" for stamp relief exemption for inheriting his farm? Or if the farm is left to both of us, will my qualification be enough for the stamp relief exemption? My name is John Kelly, the principal in Teagasc Clonakilty. It would be better if you both had your green cert. When you are married his family farm can be transferred to you (as a daughter in law) and you will get stamp duty exemption (as long as you meet all the other criteria other than the Green Cert). The farm would have to be left to you specifically after which you would transfer the farm to him (No stamp duty between husband and
wife). You could however be caught for Gift Tax and Capital Gains Tax. (This is likely with the Gift Tax) as a daughter in law. I would strongly recommend that you get independent advice from you family accountant or you family solicitor sooner rather that later as this will allow you time to sort our education if it is required and worth while. I will be back in the office tomorrow if you want to talk about it further. Q36: What time on Friday are the applications available online for green cert e-learning? Application packs will be available on our website from 5pm on Friday next April 26 th Q37: Do you know the locations for the e-learning classes yet? Will Dunsany be used for practicals? Courses scheduled for Meath, Roscommon, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork East, Mullingar, and Kilmallock, County Limerick Q38: How much time is spent in class for the Distance Education Green Cert option during the week? 150 hrs contact time incl. practicals, exams organised according to local arrangements see http://bit.ly/15gjikc for more info Q39 I am currently a third year horticulture student in CIT. Hope to graduate this year pending results. I hope to inherit my fathers small suckler herd in the future and am wondering doing I need to do the green cert or will my level 7 course in horticulture cover me to avail of the stamp duty and to avail of grants in the future. Also I am wondering is it possible to do the green cert course online and how would you go about doing this. Your CIT YEAR 3 qualification in Hort will suffice for Stamp duty purposes check out Leaflet SD2B from Revenue. You do not need to do the green Cert on line because your own qualification will suffice. Application information and application forms for the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holders will be available at www.teagasc.ie/ecollege from 5pm on Friday 26th April 2013. Applications will not be accepted in advance of the formal application period. The closing time and date for receipt of completed applications will be 5pm on Friday 10th May 2013, or before this time and date as indicated on www.teagasc.ie if applications in excess of available places on the course are received.
Q40 Hi I want to know can you miss some of the courses days when you are enrolled in the Teagasc Distance Education Green Cert for Non Agricultural Award Holder. As I am in full time employment as a teacher I will not be able to take any days off during the teaching year. The schedule that will be handed out by the course coordinator at the start of the e learning course will clarify the days that you are in class. You would have to arrange with your coordinator what days you might be missing to make up the days at a later stage. If you cannot attend all the days then the possibility of completion is narrowed.