## Report of Graduates awards ceremony at An tIonad Glas the Organic College
### Friday February 2nd.
Last Friday students of the college received a full range of Awards from the Further Education and training Authority FETAC the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association and Special Achievement Awards from the College.
National Certificate awards in Horticulture at FETAC Level 5 were received by over twenty students and a further ten receiver Diplomas and FETAC level 6 certification.
For the first year the college also presented FETAC awards to students who had taken the courses by Distance learning.
The graduates were addressed by guest speakers including Tom Atkins Distance learning co-ordinator who spoke of re-localising farming and the major challenge to maintain quality food supplies in and era of scarce and expensive energy.
**Padraic Fahy** chairperson of IOFGA and a graduate of the college described his experiences as a diploma student and how important it was to get âhands onâ experience as part of a balanced education. Emphasising the need for the unity of the brain, heart and hand in learning Padraic gave examples of successful organic growing and food business started up by people who care about the quality of life and the environment as well as making money.
**Joy Larckom** writer, vegetable and salad specialist described her own experience over the past twenty five years of seeing public opinion going the full circle.
The recent sea change in attitude towards organic growing she welcomed and said owed much to the persistence and determination of the early founders. It wont be long she said before the conventional growers will be the ones who look like cranks.
## National Certificate Students â FETAC Level 5
– Lucy Bell Kildare
– Benoit, Bonaldi France
– Monnina Broderick Abbeyfeale
– Dermot Carroll Knocklong
– Denis Crean Killmallock
– Rory Cummins Dublin
– Maureen Enright Feoghanagh
– Patrick Harrold Broadford
– Sarah Joyce, Wicklow
– Martin Keon, Kilaloe
– Lesley Liston Killmallock,
– Pat McCarthy Kilmeedy,
– Alice Morrissey Limerick,
– John Morrissey Abbeyfeale,
– Stephen OâCallaghan Ennis,
– Barry OâMahony Fermoy,
– Mary OâRegan Newcastlewest,
– Peter Rolfe Tournafolla,
– David Ryan Limerick,
– Mary Stack Templeglantine.
## Special Achievement Awards
– Kevin Duffin Tralee,
– Carlos Figueiredo Portugal,
– Eileen Finnegan Mountcollins,
– John Geary Milford,
– Kevin OâDea Broadford
## Diploma Students IOFGA, FETAC Level 6
– Margaret Barry Ardagh,
– Stefanie Brussig Kenmare,
– Norma Courtney Ballyhahill,
– Marion Cronin Liscarrol,
– Frances Curtin Mallow,
-Kieran English Caherconlish,
– Kevin Fitzmaurice Newcastlewest,
– Patrick Keane Newtownshandrum,
– Micheál Oâ Loinsigh Miltownmalbay
– Daniel Sheedy Limerick.
## Distance Learning
Distance Learning Graduates at the college included students from Holland, Germany, Croatia, Scotland and Ireland. 17 students gained module certificates and several are continuing this year to complete a full certificate.
9 students successfully completed the full Level 5 certificate:
– Dan Pate
– Job van den Assem
– Pamela Whittaker
– Kevin Hayden
– Deirdre Cowan
– Vladimir Balaban
– Christian Biehl
– Anthony Dunphy
– David Edwards
The college is currently enrolling students for its certificate courses which may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis Details by phoning 063,83604.
*Jim McNamara 06/02/2007.*