TRANSITION YEAR

Intro to Ag

The programme aims to introduce participants to the important role that agriculture plays in both employment and food production, as well as the diverse roles available in the agri-food sector.

Register now for 2025/'26

Introduction

Newly launched for 2025/’26 after a highly successful pilot programme, this exciting new Transition Year programme has been developed by Agri Aware in partnership with the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). 

The Intro to Ag Transition Year initiative aims to encourage students to choose Agricultural Science for Senior Cycle and explore education and career opportunities in the agri-food sector.

Taking students (and teachers) on a journey of discovery, this programme offers a taste of Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science and highlights the diverse career paths available in the industry. It has strong interdisciplinary links with subjects including Biology, Geography and Home Economics which reflects the sector’s broad scope.

The programme is designed specifically for the dynamic requirements needed for the Transition Year programme. The flexible structure will allow teachers and students to complete the coursework at a pace that suits them.

On completion of the coursework, students will carry out a group research project on an area of the programme that interests them. There will be a showcasing event for shortlisted students to display their work on April 22, 2026 and a winner will be crowned on the day.

Programme resources (including a coursework presentation and activity worksheets) will be shared with registered schools during the week of September 15, 2025. We are delighted to share that this programme will also be offered as gaeilge.

See highlights from the pilot project below.

Register now for 2025/'26

The objectives of the programme include:

  • Develop a deeper understanding of Agricultural Science
  • Raise awareness of further education and training courses available in agriculture
  • Showcase the many career paths in the agri-food sector
  • Increase consideration of progressing to the Agricultural Science Subject as part of the Leaving Certificate

Chapters that students will engage with:

  1. The Basics
  2. Groundwork
  3. Sow, Grow, Know
  4. Love Your Livestock
  5. Farming For the Future
  6. Project Preparation

Meet the Inaugural Intro to Ag Winners

In May 2025, Agri Aware and LOETB were joined by local TD’s and councillors in celebrating the inaugural Intro to Ag Schools Day, a day set out to recognise each school’s achievements in the programme.

Students involved in the pilot of the programme showcased the projects they created as part of their learning – with a wide array of projects on display covering topics from challenges facing the agri-food sector to farm safety.

The winners of the Intro to Ag programme were Jack Hyland, Conor O’Shea, Lennon Conroy and Jack Kelly from Clonaslee College, with their project titled ‘Issues in Agriculture’.

Registration Form

Intro to Ag Schools Day 2025