Distance learning Green Cert: Actual learning or piece of paper

Siamsa Sessions

Hi all,

Has anyone on here done their green cert via the distance learning option Teagasc set up for people who already have a degree?

I signed up to start it in Sept. 2016, but because of the changes to the national reserve application, I got a letter last week saying there's an induction night in mid-Dec to officially start the course then (incl. a non-refundable €250 on the night).

Looking at the agenda of the induction night has got me wondering now if there's much learning on the course at all, and maybe it's more about the piece of paper I'll get for doing the course that will say I'm a 'trained farmer'.

So, has anyone gone through this distance learning option? And is it any good?

Thanks.

zetor 4911

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

Hi all,

Has anyone on here done their green cert via the distance learning option Teagasc set up for people who already have a degree?

I signed up to start it in Sept. 2016, but because of the changes to the national reserve application, I got a letter last week saying there's an induction night in mid-Dec to officially start the course then (incl. a non-refundable €250 on the night).

Looking at the agenda of the induction night has got me wondering now if there's much learning on the course at all, and maybe it's more about the piece of paper I'll get for doing the course that will say I'm a 'trained farmer'.

So, has anyone gone through this distance learning option? And is it any good?

Thanks.

Is the course you are doing the induction night on a distance learning one or the part time one? Didn't think they were doing the induction night on the distance learning course.

Nettleman

Yes, i did it a few years ago- I have to say I thought the quality of the course was only average, especially with the high fees involved and the fact that those on distance learning already have degrees in other areas. I was expecting for the money involved to be a bit more cutting edge but my expectations were too high. At one stage, we were been shown/taught how to put pouron on cattle- Teagasc really need to up their game if they are going to be relevent to the young farmers of the future.

Siamsa Sessions

Thanks folks.

I'll check again whether it's induction for the part-time or distance learning course. I applied for the distance learning one so I'm assuming it's that one - but I'll check just to be sure.

Re quality: this is what I was afraid of, that it'll be a bog standard, 'This is a tractor', 'This is a business plan' type of thing. Two and half grand and a big bucket of your time just to qualify for various grants seems a bit much.

To be honest, if I don't get anything from my application to the national reserve, I won't be able to afford the €2,500 anyway.

FarmerDougal

Its a box ticking exercise with some harmless projects and farm walks. Valuable piece of paper though!! Just finished dist edu version. If your looking to go farming is say there are better ways to educate yourself

nellyg

Can anyone pm me details of how to enrole for green cert or the process involved?
Cheers

arctictree

nellyg wrote: »

Can anyone pm me details of how to enrole for green cert or the process involved?
Cheers

I'd like to know the same!

Siamsa Sessions

The 'green cert' is a catch-all name for you being considered a trained/educated farmer.

If you have a degree (or similar) in an agriculture course, then you essentially have a green cert.

You need a green cert to qualify for certain government grants and schemes.

From what I can gather, there are a number of courses out there that would give you a green cert at the end; e.g. this Teagasc one: http://www.teagasc.ie/training/courses/dist_ed_green_cert.asp

But for others, it'd be best to check to see what kind of qualification you get at the end, and double-check (with Dept. of Ag?) to make sure they consider you trained/educated after doing it. That is, do they consider you to then have a green cert?

Re the distance education course: We were farming years ago, but just got back in recently. I've picked up more in 10 mins with a cousin looking at sheep than I would in a week of reading and classroom stuff. That's the kind of hands-on learning I'm after - hence, I'm worried I'll learn nothing new on the distance learning course (albeit, a very valuable piece of paper!)

Des1988

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

Hi all,

Has anyone on here done their green cert via the distance learning option Teagasc set up for people who already have a degree?

I signed up to start it in Sept. 2016, but because of the changes to the national reserve application, I got a letter last week saying there's an induction night in mid-Dec to officially start the course then (incl. a non-refundable €250 on the night).

Looking at the agenda of the induction night has got me wondering now if there's much learning on the course at all, and maybe it's more about the piece of paper I'll get for doing the course that will say I'm a 'trained farmer'.

So, has anyone gone through this distance learning option? And is it any good?

Thanks.

From what I have got from my local education officer is that because the department moved the deadline for being registered on a green cert course forward in order to be eligible for payments you must be enrolled in a course so Ballyhaise are taking everyone that has shown interest in to register them and your course subsequently may not start until Sept 16.

I could be wrong but this is what he told me.

Farrell

Des1988 wrote: »

From what I have got from my local education officer is that because the department moved the deadline for being registered on a green cert course forward in order to be eligible for payments you must be enrolled in a course so Ballyhaise are taking everyone that has shown interest in to register them and your course subsequently may not start until Sept 16.

I could be wrong but this is what he told me.

Is the Ballyhaise course evenings or a few days per month?

Des1988

The distance learning is 1 day per month for 15 months.

Farrell

Des1988 wrote: »

The distance learning is 1 day per month for 15 months.

Can people still sign up?

joe man utd

I had the introduction to the course tonight (not sure if it's the same as yourself! ) and I think it's a bit of a joke.. course officially starting in March and running till March 2018.. you could tell that had it not been for the young farmer scheme that there wouldn't be too many doing it.

Des1988

Not sure if there was an official date that you had to be signed up by but I contacted the Teagasc Education Officer in Donegal, Art McGrath, and he advised me on what to do and who to contact.

Des1988

joe man utd wrote: »

I had the introduction to the course tonight (not sure if it's the same as yourself! ) and I think it's a bit of a joke.. course officially starting in March and running till March 2018.. you could tell that had it not been for the young farmer scheme that there wouldn't be too many doing it.

Add your reply here.

Where are you doing your course?
What went on last night?

Miname

I've started the online greenery in ballyhaise. While I was expecting it to be a bit of a joke and with a "sure I know it all already " attitude. I've been pleasantly surprised. There's bits of it sure that are a pure waste but there's plenty of info your not going to pick up easily that I reckon will definitely benefit me in years to come. Sure it's a pain in the ass taking days off and a bit of study in the evenings, but it's got it's good points and if nothing it's a change from the daily grind and a way of making new friends.

joe man utd

Des1988 wrote: »

Add your reply here.

Where are you doing your course?
What went on last night?

Doing the course in pallaskenry in limerick.. they just outlined the course and gave us an insight as to how we are to fill up the farm diary.. there is 18 to 20 days in total with practical and theory and exams and assignments to be carried out.. some stuff seems pointless but I guess for a lot of people doing the green cert they wouldn't have too much experience in farming.

Siamsa Sessions

Just to close the loop - my application to the National Reserve was rejected so I couldn't afford the €2,500 course fee. Hence, I didn't attend the induction night. In fairness to Teagasc, they were grand about it.

I'm appealing the decision, but it'll be "a few weeks" before that's processed, by which time the education deadline will have passed.

So, if my appeal is successful, then I'll have to make a case for why I couldn't tick the education box.

Tis hassle, but the money involved is probably the difference between being in the black or being in the red at the end of the year.

zetor 4911

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

Just to close the loop - my application to the National Reserve was rejected so I couldn't afford the €2,500 course fee. Hence, I didn't attend the induction night. In fairness to Teagasc, they were grand about it.

I'm appealing the decision, but it'll be "a few weeks" before that's processed, by which time the education deadline will have passed.

So, if my appeal is successful, then I'll have to make a case for why I couldn't tick the education box.

Tis hassle, but the money involved is probably the difference between being in the black or being in the red at the end of the year.

Did they give a reason why they rejected your application?

Siamsa Sessions

zetor 4911 wrote: »

Did they give a reason why they rejected your application?

Yes, the herd number was transferred into my name back in 2004, but we had already ceased farming at that stage (it was transferred to me as part of my mother's 'early retirement' application).

When I started looking into getting back into farming this time last year, the Dept told me the herd number had been inactive since 2004. This meant it was dormant and had to be re-activated (this was plenty hassle too with solicitors, land registry, and leases).

There's no question that I haven't been farming in 10 years, and hence am a new entrant, but it depends on how these things are tracked in the Dept.'s system.

MayoAreMagic

Just to answer the question posed on the op. For every person I know that is doing it, it is 100% a box ticking exercise for the YFS. Not one of them would be bothered about the course, or indeed being classed as a young farmer, if the extra cash wasn't on offer.

Acollins86

Hi all.
Just wondering if anyone here has done the distance learning green cert.im startin mine on the 1st of july in mullingar and im wondering what exactly it consists off e.g projects,exams,presentations etc.???