Careers in Farming, Horticulture & Forestry

Sectors

Farming, Horticulture & Forestry

About

Farming continues to play a big role in Irish life, with forests growing in size plus a thriving gardening and landscaping sector there are many opportunities for those who enjoy active jobs where you are doing practical work out in the open air. Whether you are working on farms as a farm owner or farmhand, caring for our forests or smaller scale work in horticulture, where you can design landscapes or tend gardens.

Skills

sales & marketing, communication, teamwork, leadership, time management, adaptability, active listening, attention to detail, negotiation, education & training, decision making, data analysis & statistics, one to one counselling, persuasion, developing relationships,

Key Facts

18,500

family dairy farms in Ireland

Enterprise Ireland, Dairy and Ingredients

11,000

involved in growing tillage crops in Ireland

Food Wise 2025

3,500

employed in mushroom growing

Teagasc, Mushrooms

12,000

directly employed in forestry

Forest Statistics - Ireland 2017

In this Sector...

Agriculture

Our farms make up a major source of economic activity and are the focus of rural life. There are two primary types of farming in Ireland, tillage farming and dairy farming.

Horticulture

As a horticulturist you may work with the growing of food such as fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables, decorative features such as flowers and shrubs or practical features such as sporting grounds.

Forestry

Horticulturalists and forestry workers tend to complex woodland ecosystems. Hauliers, log buyers, and sawmill workers keep the timber supply chain moving.

Landscaping

Landscapers craft land, with a focus on how it looks. This can mean shaping the layout and appearance of the features in a park, garden or other green space and then maintaining the space.

Life on the Farm

Farm life is different to almost every other career, the days start earlier and may end later. The type of work you will be doing will change with the season and you will be out in the weather for most of your working day.

Opportunities with Irish in this Sector

Advice from Experts...

If you want to know more about working in the in the sector, hear what the experts have to say.

Career Opportunities in Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry

A career in agriculture, horticulture or forestry can be very rewarding and fulfilling. You will have an opportunity to develop a lifestyle which competes very favourably with other professions, particularly with regard to quality of life and job satisfaction.

Posted by: Teagasc

Qualifications Required

hree organisations currently provide forestry education and skills training courses in Ireland. These courses are full time, and are aimed at preparing students for a career in the forestry sector.

Posted by: Forestry Careers Ireland

Qualifications Required in Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry

You can now complete your training in one of the eight Teagasc colleges, at a local training centre or on line through our new Teagasc eCollege facility. This flexibility allows some students to pursue an off-farm job or an apprenticeship while completing their training programme.

Posted by: Teagasc

About the Forestry Sector

Almost 11% of Ireland is under forest, supporting a vibrant and export-oriented forest products sector. The forest industry comprising, growing, harvesting and processing of forest products makes a significant and growing contribution to the Irish economy.

Posted by: Forestry Careers Ireland

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