Horticulture

http://organiccollege.com/courses/application-form/

• One year full-time Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 5 Course where you choose your modules leading to a certificate in Horticulture

• You’ll develop organic gardening skills so you’ll be able to grow fruit, veg and herbs the healthy organic way

• Part time and Distance Learning options are also available

Leading to a QQI Level 5 certificate in ‘Horticulture’.

One Year full-time course. (Part time options available)

The course consists of modules, some of which are nationally written and common to other Education bodies under Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Many of the modules have been specially written by teachers within the Organic and Co-operative movement. Because it is modular based and nationally certified, students wishing to continue to study further can have their awards recognised at whatever level achieved.

The Modules included in this course are as follows:

Organic Standards and Principles (5N2550)
Fruit and Vegetable Production (5N2552)
Soil Science and Growing Media (5N2530)
Beekeeping (5N2554)
Plant Protection (5N2546)
Plant Science (5N2528)
Plant Identification and Use (5N2527)
Applied Permaculture (5N1553)
Horticultural Mechanisation (5N2559)
Communications (5N0690)
Work Practice (5N1433)

5M2586- Horticulture

Applied Permaculture (5N1553)

This module will introduce the student to the fundamental principles behind Permaculture Design, where natural ecosystems are taken as the model for human habitat and landscape design. Practically based the student will learn the basics in ecological building design and natural building methods, water management and basic aquaculture systems, designing sustainable woodlands, forest gardens and intensive food gardens as well as the application of permaculture to broadscale agriculture. The student will through the course of the year learn how to produce a permaculture design for a property and will develop hands on skills appropriate to sustainable living.

Learners will be able to:

• Investigate ways in which permaculture can contribute to the ‘greening’ of local communities
• Explore the principles and ethics of permaculture
• Examine the relationship between organic gardening, biodynamics and permaculture
• Distinguish between the range of sustainable building materials and techniques
• Explore the principles of green design
• Examine how permaculture principles can be applied to broad scale agriculture
• Summarise the importance and potential of aquaculture in a permaculture system
• Explore the range of potential uses for a well designed woodland
• Interpret the principles of permaculture in the context of a food garden
• Comment on a range of techniques and practices appropriate to an intensive food garden

Horticultural Mechanisation (5N2559)

The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competance to operate and maintain a range of hand and powered horticultural machinery and implements and also how to use them efficiently in Crop Production.

Communications (5N0690)

Communication skills are highly valued in the workplace but this module extends beyond exclusively vocational needs, recognising that the acquisition of these skills is a life-long process, and central to personal, social and professional development and fulfilment.

This module is a requirement for all FETAC courses and should be taken if you are completing the full certificate. You will need to do a presentation, write sample letters and create other forms of visual communication.

This module does not normally require too much work and you will complete it quite quickly.

Topics include:
•The written word
•Non-verbal communication
•Interpersonal communication
•The Spoken Word (listening, speaking, dialogue)
•Interviews
•Giving Presentations
•Groups and meetings
•Communication technology (phone, computers)
•Mass Communication – the media

Work Practice (5N1433)

If you wish to complete a full certificate you will need to complete work placement on an organic horticultural holding of your choice. This can be with a grower or organisation that is near to you or of interest to you. We have contacts with some of the best organic growers in the business and can help with a choice of host.

You will also need to keep a garden diary based on work you do at your own garden, during practical days at the college and farm walks or gardens visited throughout the year.

Keeping a garden diary is good practice for all gardeners and we encourage students get in the habit of doing this during the first year – you’ll then have already completed some of the work Practice module before starting year two. Another good time is over the summer when there is plenty going on at farms and gardens. You will need to take photos and notes of what you did and hand in a report on how the placement went.

The Organic College
Dromcollogher
County Limerick
Ireland
T: 063 83604
E: oifig@organiccollege.com