Is the green cert required?

Pussyhands

I'm not a farmer but the parents have a farm and I'd like to eventually get into it and take it over.

What are the benefits of doing the green cert? i read something about tax but don't know exactly.

Can you get a herd number and get the grants without the green cert?

Also is there different types of green cert courses? I see a green cert and then a green cert advanced?

And what would be the cost? I see something around 2.5k :O :O :O

SuperTortoise

I'ts not a requirement no,

The main benefit at least for me and what a lot of people don't think about is learning! Basic account and record keeping, nutritional side of grass management and forage analysis, an understanding of taxation and how it impacts my farm, to name a few things, these things a modern farmer needs to be aware of.

From a financial side then things like the young farmer topup, access to 60% grants with TAMS etc can be a decent bit of help, as well as CAT relief on farm transfers being the main one i guess.

I did'nt think it was any more than a box ticking exercise when i did mine, but i was surprised at how much i learnt and how much of that knowledge i use everyday on my farm.

Hurling Hereford

SuperTortoise wrote: »

I'ts not a requirement no,

The main benefit at least for me and what a lot of people don't think about is learning! Basic account and record keeping, nutritional side of grass management and forage analysis, an understanding of taxation and how it impacts my farm, to name a few things, these things a modern farmer needs to be aware of.

From a financial side then things like the young farmer topup, access to 60% grants with TAMS etc can be a decent bit of help, as well as CAT relief on farm transfers being the main one i guess.

I did'nt think it was any more than a box ticking exercise when i did mine, but i was surprised at how much i learnt and how much of that knowledge i use everyday on my farm.

As per Teagasc;

The Green Cert refers to a list of land based courses which qualifies a person as a ‘trained farmer’. These could be in horticulture, agriculture, forestry or equine studies.

Having a ‘Green Cert’ is also one of the conditions of stamp duty exemption on the transfer of a farm to a son or daughter. It also meets the criteria for schemes or grants that may be available from time to time e.g. Young Farm Scheme and some horticulture grants.

In Teagasc College of Amenity horticulture, Glasnevin, it is possible to obtain either a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture or the Degree in Horticulture with WIT to achieve a ‘Green Cert’. No other documentation is provided as evidence of meeting this standard.

Teagasc also offer “The distance education green cert” course to those who have completed non-agricultural studies at level 6 or higher.

Hard Knocks

When taking over a farm in good shape the only benefit is stamp duty on inheritance tax.

It could be worth a visit to your family solicitor to get a rough cost because your own personal wealth is a factor, then ring some of the Agri colleges to see what options are available & what the cost.
No point doing a course for 2k & giving up allot of personal time to save on 3k

If the farm needs some work & this would be done before you turn 40, then you’re better to do the course