Two Tipperary farms are committed to stimulating a new wave of organic growers in Ireland

The Organic Growers of Ireland focus on helping new and upcoming growers into the Organic sector. Their innovative Work Placement Programme sees participants placed directly into organic horticultural enterprises for 6 to 9 months of paid work, giving them a unique experience of what it takes to run an organic horticultural business.

This practical placement is supported by a series of engaging and inspiring farm walks, workshops and classes which are facilitated by some of the best growers and experts in the country.

Work Placement host farms are dotted around the country with some of of the very best in the sector on board such as Larkin's Hill Farm and Shanbally Farm, both located near Nenagh.

With Europe targeting a 25% increase in organics by 2030 and with a changing environmental landscape highlighting Ireland’s lack of food security, the need for growers of fresh organic produce had never been greater. With the organic market expanding there has never been a better time to consider entering the sector says Rónán Mac Raois coordinator of the programme:

“With new financial supports for organic growers beginning to come on line now and customer awareness and demand increasing with large promotional campaigns for organics from Bord Bia, the time is now to make that jump”

So who can be an organic grower? “Participants on the programme come from all walks of life says Rónán. “It’s not just young farmers transitioning the family farm from conventional to organic. Our participants are all ages and come from all walks of life - it’s one of the great joys of the programme.

“We’ve had nurses, school teachers, electricians, even folk moving on from the financial service industry… you name it, there are people looking to enter the organic growing sector and making big, bold and successful career changes in the process. Given the incredibly wide range of abilities a grower or farmer needs to manage an enterprise, so many of their experiences and skills are transferrable”.

Typically applicants to the programme have some growing experience already, either through education such as a horticultural course or an agricultural qualification. Alternatively, 6 months  voluntary experience on a farm or market garden is sufficient.

The programme acts as a bridge to working full time in the sector, enabling participants to be equipped and feel more confident to run or manage their own business or continue working for their host farms afterwards.

“There’s just something that a 6 months full time work placement offers that can’t be recreated in say a few weeks college work experience. The placements work a minimum 30 hours a week so they have the time to be given real responsibilities and experience a wide variety of tasks through the season. A lot is expected of them, so they get to really step up.’

The participants are also supported through farm walks, classes and workshops with the programme boasting sessions with renowned market gardener Jim Cronin and author and trainer Klaus Laitenberger among other national experts.

The workshops cover subjects such as Soil Health, Propagation, Farm Health and Safety, Pest, Weed and Disease Management, Business and Marketing, High value crops, Machinery and more. QQI level 5 Organic Principles and Standards is also covered, essential for converting to organics and securing department funding.

They participants also get to see many other farms and different approaches to growing across the country so a broad amount of knowledge is acquired along with contacts in the industry. 

A lot of previous participants really value the connection they've made in the sector. ‘I took away a lot of friends and contacts in the organic growing sector, it feels like there is a lot of support out there’ said Louise Rankin, formerly a school teacher and who has worked with Moyleabbey Organic Farm since completing her programme.

Deadline for applications is February 9th. For more information on the OGI Work Placement Programme and how to apply visit http://www.organicgrowersireland.com/