Students get taste of farm life
SONY DSC
Second level students from Kilkenny city and county closed the textbooks and put on the wellies for a day of hands-on learning at Kildalton Agricultural College last week. Agricultural Science students took to the fields for one of Agri Aware’s practical days which will take place throughout the week in six Teagasc colleges nationwide and UCD Lyons Estate. Organised by Agri Aware, in conjunction with Teagasc, IASTA and UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, the day was a real eye opener and exposed students to the reality of the subject that they are taught each day in the classroom. Kildalton Agricultural College opened its doors to students and teachers, providing them all with an excellent understanding of the practical elements of the Agricultural Science syllabus. Students from St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny and Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown attended the Farm Walk and Talk with their teachers.
Meat Industy Ireland are also taking part in this year’s Farm Walk and Talk. Paul Nolan from Dawn Meats spoke to students about the Irish beef processing industry and showed the students where exactly different cuts of meat come from on the animal. Paul also talked about the various branches of Dawn Meats, the export of Irish meat and the varied job opportunities in the Irish agri-food sector.
Speaking at the Farm Walk and Talk, Agri Aware Chairman Bernard Donohue said, “Agri Aware’s Farm Walk and Talks provide students with a greater understanding of the textbook theory. Students experience the various farming techniques that they read so much about and have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a working farm covering topics from soils and fertilisers to silage making and livestock. This is our third year to host the Farm Walk and Talk in association with Teagasc and UCD. We have been astounded by the popularity of the events and look forward to hosting many more walks in the future.”
Paddy Browne, Head of Education in Teagasc commented, “We are delighted to join again with Agri Aware and UCD in hosting the 2012 Farm Walk and Talks at our Agriculture Colleges. We hope as Leaving Cert students sit their Agricultural Science exam in June, they will remember their visit to their local Teagasc or private college and the practical lessons they learned. We are delighted to work with Agri Aware on this venture and look forward to continuing this practical education for students.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Kilkenny
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South west
