OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture
The OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture consists of a horticultural work placement on a well-established organic horticultural farm in Ireland, supported by a training programme of in-depth classes, practical workshops and farm walks. Participants work a minimum of 30 hours/week over their 6 to 9 month placement, and are employed directly by their host farm.
Application Criteria & Guidance
- Applicants should have a horticultural qualification QQI level 5 (or equivalent) and/or a minimum of six months work experience on a farm.
- It is recommended that applicants should clearly demonstrate in their application their commitment to organic growing, as well their physical ability and experience in working outdoors.
- Applicants must not have previously taken part in any OGI Work Placement / Internship programme.
- 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.
The Training Programme
The formal training programme consists of:
- Six workshops and classes over the period of your work placement delivered by growers and experts across the organic sector. The workshops will cover core subjects such Soils, Propagation, Health and Safety, Pest, Weed and Disease Management, Business and Marketing, High value crops, Machinery and more.
- Includes Organic Principles & Standards module with participants producing an organic conversion plan, exploring routes to market and completing end of year exam to gain certificate.
- A series of six farm walks on some of the best organic farms in the country, with a focus on each farms working model and the crops they specialise in.
Accreditation
A Certificate of Completion will be issued to each intern from the Organic Growers of Ireland for the successful completion of:
- Work placement on their host farm (minimum 30 hours per week over a minimum of 6 months).
- Attendance at all workshops and farm walks.
- 25 hour block module in Organic Principles and Standards (QQI Level 5) and exam.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are now closed for 2024. Please email placement@organicgrowersireland.ie for more information.
1. Find out about our Host Farms
To read more detailed information about the Host Farms taking part in the Work Placement Programme, please download our Host Farm Profile document below.
Availability of placements at our Host Farms are subject to change. We will always do our best to match you with the most suitable Host Farm available.
To see the full list of 2024 Host Farms, please click here.
2. Complete your Application Form
To apply for the programme please download an application form below.
Return your completed form to our Programme Coordinator by email: placement@organicgrowersireland.ie.
The OGI oversees the recruitment of the interns and organises and delivers the training programme. The programme was established by the Organic Growers of Ireland in 2014 and is funded on an annual basis by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Testimonials
I completed the internship in organic horticulture in 2015. The host farm was Beechlawn Organic Farm in Ballinasloe, owned and operated by Padraig Fahy and Una Ni Bhroin. I found the internship was the ideal way for me to learn the practical skills needed to start my own horticultural enterprise. There was a good mix of classroom learning along with farm walks and the invaluable practical learning gained while working on an organic vegetable farm. It gave me a great insight into the realities and challenges involved in growing organic vegetables and also the confidence to set up my own market garden.
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.
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