Teagasc aside, there are lots of other options at third level if you are interested in careers on the land or work-related to its products. John McCullen, chairman of Agri-Aware, says that there is a wide variety of careers in agriculture, horticulture and forest, not just as primary producers but in spin-off areas of service. "Land ownership is not always a prerequisite because for every farmer there are five others who assist in the final product reaching the market place."
Among these options is UCD, which has a four-year full-time degree in agricultural science which splits into nine specialisms: animal and crop production; animal science; agribusiness and rural development; agricultural and environmental science; food science; engineering technology; horticultural science; landscape horticulture; and forestry.
Two of these specialisms - food science and landscape horticulture - are available on a direct-entry basis. UCD also has an agricultural and food engineering degree.
UL offers a certificate and a degree in equine science. Waterford IT has a diploma in forestry while Tralee IT has a course in agricultural engineering. Other offerings include agribusiness and food management in Galway-Mayo IT.
Food science/technology and environmental science are available in a number of colleges, both as a direct-entry course and under common-entry science programmes.
