Green cert course contents

Carlosh103

Hi,

I'm a newbie here and I have some questions regarding the Distance education green cert course. I've been reading other threads but can't really find answers.

I am going to inherit our family farm soon and therefore I'll have to do the Green Cert course, hopefully at a regional centre.

I have never lived on our country farm (I'm living in an urban area) and have zero experience with anything got to do with a farm.

Questions:

1. Does the course consist of a lot of theory work / project work?

2. Practical skills instruction - what does "practical skills instruction" involve? Where/how does it take place if I'm attending a regional Teagasc centre?

3. 12 month practical learning period - I've read that I'll have to do a 12 month practical learning period on a farm. Is much work involved? What kind of work do you need to do and will we be shown how to do it?

Please forgive me if these questions seem a bit silly but I'm a complete newbie here.

Any help/advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Carlosh103

Hasmunch

1. Does the course consist of a lot of theory work / project work?
You have to complete a weekly diary writing a summary of the activities that have been completed on the farm. This is an overall summary of the normal farm routine plus summary of change in animal numbers and any unusual visits or happenings. This is relatively straight forward as most of the diary will be the same from week to week. Note: You do not necessarily be on farm to complete this i.e. you can get a summary from the farmer and write it in yourself.
Each subject then have a test involved which means learning the theory. This is mostly self thought from books provided but sample questions are also given prior to tests.

2. Practical skills instruction - what does "practical skills instruction" involve? Where/how does it take place if I'm attending a regional Teagasc centre?
For each subject there is a number of practical skills. For example in beef, you need to be able to grade animal fat scores and judge weights and administrator an injection (and about 20 others). Don't worry if you have no experience in any of this, you will be given an instruction lesson on each skill, shown to to do it and explained all about it. You will then return another week and be tested on that skill. You can practice in the period between the lesson and the test if needed on your own farm. (usually not needed)

3. 12 month practical learning period - I've read that I'll have to do a 12 month practical learning period on a farm. Is much work involved? What kind of work do you need to do and will we be shown how to do it?
You complete two 6 month dairies (as mentioned in question 1).

Pm me if you want to know anymore.

Miname

Do you really want to farm? if its for the inheritance tax unless its a huge farm i wouldnt be overconcerned about it. if you are thinking of farming go for it, but its not all plain sailing. if youve no previous experience its definately a daunting enough course and will require a savage amount of study.I personally think with no experience your best bet is bite the bullet and do the full time one.

Carlosh103

Hasmunch wrote: »

1. Does the course consist of a lot of theory work / project work?
You have to complete a weekly diary writing a summary of the activities that have been completed on the farm. This is an overall summary of the normal farm routine plus summary of change in animal numbers and any unusual visits or happenings. This is relatively straight forward as most of the diary will be the same from week to week. Note: You do not necessarily be on farm to complete this i.e. you can get a summary from the farmer and write it in yourself.
Each subject then have a test involved which means learning the theory. This is mostly self thought from books provided but sample questions are also given prior to tests.

2. Practical skills instruction - what does "practical skills instruction" involve? Where/how does it take place if I'm attending a regional Teagasc centre?
For each subject there is a number of practical skills. For example in beef, you need to be able to grade animal fat scores and judge weights and administrator an injection (and about 20 others). Don't worry if you have no experience in any of this, you will be given an instruction lesson on each skill, shown to to do it and explained all about it. You will then return another week and be tested on that skill. You can practice in the period between the lesson and the test if needed on your own farm. (usually not needed)

3. 12 month practical learning period - I've read that I'll have to do a 12 month practical learning period on a farm. Is much work involved? What kind of work do you need to do and will we be shown how to do it?
You complete two 6 month dairies (as mentioned in question 1).

Pm me if you want to know anymore.

Thank you very much for providing that detailed information. It has helped me understand a lot more.

Carlosh103

Miname wrote: »

Do you really want to farm? if its for the inheritance tax unless its a huge farm i wouldnt be overconcerned about it. if you are thinking of farming go for it, but its not all plain sailing. if youve no previous experience its definately a daunting enough course and will require a savage amount of study.I personally think with no experience your best bet is bite the bullet and do the full time one.

I kinda have to do it anyway for the inheritance tax purposes, but thanks anyway for your input!

J.O. Farmer

Carlosh103 wrote: »

I kinda have to do it anyway for the inheritance tax purposes, but thanks anyway for your input!

If you're not interested in farming it was there something regarding letting out on long term leases and reduced inheritance tax in the last budget. I could be wrong though.

Miname

Carlosh103 wrote: »

I kinda have to do it anyway for the inheritance tax purposes, but thanks anyway for your input!

if your a son or daughter the inheritance tax is lower fair enough if your not the tax bill will be more alright, but the course is 2600 then theres another 26 days off work. then another 5 or 6 saturdays for exams. then with no farming experience there will be a huge amount of study . weigh up all the time and everything and you might be better off just paying the inheritance tax.

Carlosh103

I'm actually almost finished my doctorate at the moment, so I'm not afraid of LOTS of study!!! In fact, I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. It'll be a change of scenery for me :-)

On a side note, will I need to get like safety/work clothing etc., you know for the practical skills training? Are they provided or do I need to invest in my own?

Thanks!

Miname

Carlosh103 wrote: »

I'm actually almost finished my doctorate at the moment, so I'm not afraid of LOTS of study!!! In fact, I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. It'll be a change of scenery for me :-)

On a side note, will I need to get like safety/work clothing etc., you know for the practical skills training? Are they provided or do I need to invest in my own?

Thanks!

wet gear wellies and a memory stick is about as much as you'll need

Carlosh103

Miname wrote: »

wet gear wellies and a memory stick is about as much as you'll need

Grand, thanks!

Clickclack99

Hi all, I wondered if it's possible to get any allowances to be exempt from certain parts of the course (in order to reduce the days needed to be on-site). I'm a qualified accountant and already have experience preparing farmers accounts so I wondered if I might have some exemptions from the admin side. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot,

J.O. Farmer

Clickclack99 wrote: »

Hi all, I wondered if it's possible to get any allowances to be exempt from certain parts of the course (in order to reduce the days needed to be on-site). I'm a qualified accountant and already have experience preparing farmers accounts so I wondered if I might have some exemptions from the admin side. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot,

If you already have a degree the distance course will give you credits for that. It doesn't even need to be relevant to any aspect of farming.
I can't remember the figures but say that it takes 240 credits for the green cert you get 80 for having a degree already. Having a degree is a prerequisite of the distance course.