OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture
Internship in Organic Horticulture
The OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture is a unique springboard into a career in organic horticulture. The programme consists of a paid, practical work placement on an Irish organic horticulture host farm, supported by a training programme, and a QQI Level 5 Organic Principles & Standards module. The programme starts in March and finishes in October every year.
Applications for our 2026 programme are NOW OPEN! Find out more below and apply by February 9th.
The Internship Programme
Build your career in organic horticulture with an internship on some of Ireland’s best organic farms.
Interns work a minimum of 30 hours per week on a well-established Irish organic horticultural farm, over a six to nine-month period. Interns are recruited and employed directly by their host farm, gaining experience through a full growing season.
Build your skills with practical workshops, classes and farm walks led by experts from across the organic sector.
A training programme runs alongside the work placement, providing extra training and qualifications, including:
• QQI Level 5 Organic Principles & Standards (25-hour module), with a final exam taking place at the end of the training programme.
• Practical workshops including soils, propagation, pests, weeds & diseases, health & safety, business & marketing, and machinery.
• Farm walks on some of the best organic farms around the country, mentoring, career development, industry events and networking.
How to Apply
1. Check that you meet the Application Criteria below.
2. Read the Application Guide to find out more about what’s involved and check if the programme is right for you.
3. Choose 3 host farms. Read our host farm profiles and decide which farms might suit you best. While we will always do our best to match you with the most suitable host farm, the availability of work placements are subject to change.
4. Submit your application. Download and complete the Application Form. Email your completed application to placement@organicgrowersireland.ie. Applications close on 9th February 2026.
Application Criteria
Applicants should have a previous horticultural or farming qualification (QQI Level 5 or equivalent) and/or a minimum of six months work experience on a farm or horticultural enterprise.
If you are applying from outside the EU you must already have an Irish working visa in place before applying. We do not organise working visas.
Applicants must not have previously taken part in any OGI Work Placement or Internship programme.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate in their application their commitment to organic growing, as well their physical ability and experience in working outdoors. Read our FAQs to find out more.
Intern Life
The OGI internship programme runs across a full growing season, from spring through to autumn, offering a hands-on experience at every stage.
Read our intern stories to find out more about the programme, see what’s involved in the training programme, and hear from past interns about their day-to-day roles, the skills they develop and what it’s really like to be an OGI intern.
Programme Aims
The OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture is designed to bridge the gap for those who have already completed a horticulture course or have some practical experience in farming or horticulture. It aims to:
• Provide a high standard of practical skills and knowledge, giving participants the confidence to start up their own horticultural enterprise or take on the management of an existing one.
• Develop an understanding of sustainable organic systems of farming based upon biological and environmental concepts.
• Develop an understanding of the economics of running a successful horticultural enterprise.
• Provide a pathway into a full-time career in organic horticulture – many participants continue to work on their host farms or start their own enterprises on programme completion.
The programme was established by the OGI in 2014, and is funded on an annual basis by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Accreditation
On completion of the programme, interns will be awarded:
• QQI Level 5 Organic Principles and Standards (25-hour approved Organic Farming Principles certification) on passing a final examination.
• Organic Growers of Ireland Certificate of Completion. This certifies that the participant has successfully completed their work placement for the required period, and attended all workshops, farm walks and training sessions.
• Participants will also gain certificates in Health & Safety and Manual Handling.
TESTIMONIALS
“I currently operate a 1 acre market garden that supplies 1 local shop and 2 local farmers markets. I would highly recommend the OGI apprenticeship. The knowledge, skills, confidence, contacts and friends I gained through completing the internship have equipped me very well to set up and run my own horticultural enterprise.”
“Great experience in understanding the growing aspect and the physical, mental and emotional around same. Valuable experience in the business side of things, marketing, human and public relations. Broadened awareness of all the multifactorial aspects of growing, such as sustainability, climate conditions, financial investment, mechanisation, and staff levels.”
“I now have a more in-depth knowledge of not only what it takes to run an organic horticulture enterprise but also what opportunities are available to me in terms of training, grants and markets. I feel much more confident in my decision making and planning abilities re running an organic vegetable enterprise.”
“It helped me a lot, to see the reality behind growing. There are so many challenges that organic growers are facing, that I would never think of, so it was precious to encounter those first hand. As I am planning to start market garden myself, this programme helped me a lot with the ‘mathematics’ of growing, both crop planning and the financial part of a successful farm.”
Please email placement@organicgrowersireland.ie for more information.
