OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture
Training & Qualifications
Build extra skills and qualifications as you work. In addition to gaining hands-on experience at their host farms, interns participate in a structured training programme, led by some of Ireland’s most experienced organic educators and growers.
Running alongside the practical work placement, this programme focuses on building core skills and key certifications, including a QQI Level 5 award in Organic Principles and Standards.
The programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and supported by NOTS. Training materials and textbooks are provided, and full attendance at all training sessions and workshops is required.
QQI Level 5 Organic Principles & Standards
MODULE CODE NO. 5N2550
The QQI Level 5 Organic Principles & Standards is a 25-hour taught module, with a final exam taking place at the end of the training programme in September. This module is delivered as a mix of online and in-person sessions.
Course tutor: Paula Pender
The Organic Principles & Standards – QQI Level 5 Component Award is delivered as a minor award through the OGI Internship in Organic Horticulture programme.
This component module is recognised as approved training by the Department for Agriculture Food and the Marine for organic growers who want to apply to the Organic Farming Scheme.
This module can also be used towards a major award as part of a validated programme leading to a Certificate in Horticulture.
Aims of the Module
This module aims to allow learners to become familiar with organic principles and practices, along with the regulations and standards as outlined in the EU organic standards. As part of the module, participants will learn to:
– Appreciate the role of organic food production within the wider environmental movement.
– Acquire the skills in propagation, cultivate and harvesting of organic food crops.
– Appreciate the organic approach to the control of weeds, pests and diseases.
Objectives of this Module
By undertaking this module, learners will:
– Gain an understanding of the principles, practice and relevance of organic food production
– Develop skills essential to organic food production.
– Gain an awareness of the benefits organic production plays in the local, national and global environment.
The OGI Training programme builds practical skills in organic horticulture through hands-on learning, led by some of Ireland’s most experienced organic educators and growers. Training sessions, including workshops, farm walks and field days, usually take place once a month from April to September. The programme includes:
– Practical workshops covering soil, propagation, health & safety, pest, weed & disease control, business & marketing, high-value crops, and machinery use.
– Farm walks on a variety of organic farms across the country, each focusing on the farm’s unique model and specialty crops.
– Certification in Health & Safety and Manual Handling.
These on-farm training days offer interns valuable exposure to farms of different scales and production models, along with opportunities to connect with key figures in the organic sector.
Interns will also have opportunity to attend national events such as the National Ploughing Championships, National Organic Food Fair, Bloom, and the OGI Annual Conference.
At the end of the programme, interns will be awarded the Organic Growers of Ireland Certificate of Completion to certify that they have successfully completed a work placement on their host farm for a minimum of 30 hours/week over a minimum of 6 months, and attended all workshops, farm walks and training sessions.
TESTIMONIALS
“The material covered was very interesting and Paula always made sure to make it an enjoyable day in the classroom“
“It is great to get a certificate and a qualification at the end of the programme“
