Co. Cork VEC Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) is currently offering places on its Organic Horticulture Course in Mallow Return To Education Centre. This FETAC Level 5 course will take place every Monday, starting February 22nd 2010 from 10.00am to 3.00pm. First year modules include Organic Production Principles, Food Crops and Communications with all eight FETAC modules offered over 2 years. Our first-year participants will be advancing onto their second year, while our second-years will be qualifying.
The programme has a very strong emphasis on practical organic skills, as well as classroom based tutoring. Participants gain practical experience in all aspects of organic growing from soil preparation and sowing, no-dig growing systems, crop rotation, pest and disease management, through to harvesting.
“We are delighted at the success of this programme and the increasing number of people interested in organic gardening and horticulture courses, as well as the recent growth in allotments in Mallow”, says Paul O’ Flynn, 1st Year Horticulture Tutor. “This reflects a growing trend of environmental and food safety issues. This surge in support for organics will certainly continue as people become more aware of the mounting evidence of the benefits of organic food production. I have no doubt that a certified course like this gives people a great foundation in our changing world where ‘back to basics’ is being cherished”, Paul adds.
The Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) addresses the need for much greater flexibility in delivering courses to adults who want to achieve qualification in a fast developing area like Organic Horticulture. As the negative effects of our modern lifestyle practices are becoming more real, skills in more sympathetic methods of food production are crucial. Over 90 students attended organic horticulture courses in our Centre in 2009.
BTEI continues to encourage those on Social Welfare or those not in the labour force to become qualified at FETAC Level 3, 4 or 5. The timing of such a course gives the participants the opportunity to access part-time education for just 5 hours per week.
The course will be run in Mallow Return To Education Centre in Lower Beecher Street, where facilities include a commercial polytunnel, large outdoor growing area, cob oven, IT room and tuition rooms, all with full disabled access. The Centre is within walking distance of town, rail station and bus station.
This course is being offered to anyone in North Cork with a desire to learn more about gardening and organic growing, who are willing to commit themselves to part-time education one day per week.
Course is FREE for persons without a Leaving Certificate, those in receipt of Social Welfare Benefit and Medical Card/GP Only Card Holders. Priority given to those free, but others pay €400 per year.
Anyone interested in joining this course can get further information from Brendan Glynn, BTEI Co-ordinator (Tel: 022 55452) Email: <email>
I have attached information on our FETAC Level 5 Horticulture course that starts next Monday morning (10am to 3pm).
There are only one or two places left at this stage, so have anyone interested should get back to us as soon as possible to guarantee a place.
