About Us
An t-Ionad Glas, the Organic College, is located in the small country town of Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick, home of the Rural Co-operative movement in Ireland and Britain. Students learn about organic gardening and horticulture in the classroom and outdoors at the Community Gardens and the Enterprise Acre. The gardens are fully Certified Organic, and are maintained by the students of the Organic Horticulture and Farming Courses on a co-operative basis. More information about the college facilities is available here…
The College was founded in 1991 and runs the only nationally certified, full-time and part-time courses in Organic production in Ireland. We also run a range of short courses, including weekend seminars, tours, workshops and night classes. More information about all our courses is available here…
You can also read about our research work and our involement in the community.
Why study at the Organic College?
> Small, personal and fun
If you choose to study at the Organic College you will be joining a small, but growing, community of students who are dedicated to organic growing and sustainability. We believe that our small size (about 60 full time students) is important as you’ll feel part of a human sized group and will receive personal attention. Students at the college get together to do all sorts of things from running the local Farmer’s market and Fair Trade weeks to getting together for a good party.
Practical work outdoors in the gardens and on the farm
A crucial part of the experience you will gain at the college is the practical work you will be able to do. All our courses have important practical elements where you will be in the garden or on the farm planting crops, tending animals or harvesting. We firmly believe that the best way to develop the theoretical knowledge you’ll get from the classroom is to come and put your hands in the soil and be part of getting things to grow.
International Award
In May 2001,the college received an International Award for quality Benchmark Practice in Sustainable Rural Development. Based on its service to organic farming and growing, the college was nominated by the Irish Department of Education and selected from 122 colleges world-wide for this award.
Mission Statement
> “The organic college affirms the right of people to produce and use health giving food, without damage to the environment. It provides a range of courses and support services towards sustainable farming and co-operative rural living.”
Facilities at the college
By growing organically we aim to produce food of optimum quality and quantity using practices that co-exist with the natural systems, to sustain and build on the soil’s fertility and to protect and improve the environment.
The College garden
Our Garden is open to visitors by appointment (063) 83604.
Here you will see our fruit and vegetable gardens, our herb garden, tree nursery, pond and poly tunnel. On Fridays you can visit or join in with the organic food market in the town square which is run by college students.
The Student Enterprise Acre
Situated adjacent to the college is the student Enterprise Acre which is managed on a commercial basis by students (mostly second years) at the college. A range of crops are grown, from field scale potatoes, salads in the poly-tunnel, heritage apples in the newly established orchard and willow for coppicing.
Library and Computer Room
We have a library with excellent organic and sustainability books. Our computer room enables word processing and internet access for all students. We have a fully Open Source ethical computer system.
