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.
Intro to Ag Fair 2026
Agri Aware and Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board were delighted to host the Intro to Ag Fair at the Aviva Stadium in April, featuring special guest Kaleb Cooper.
Winning Projects
About the programme
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 carry out a group research project on an area of the programme that interests them.
Resources & Learning Materials: Once registered, a member of our team will reach out with further information regarding access to programme resources (including a coursework presentation and activity worksheets). We are delighted to share that this programme will also be offered as gaeilge.
Meet the Intro to Ag Finalists
Finalists will display their projects at the Aviva Stadium this April
Virginia College
Finalist:Sean Duffy
Title: Vacuum Silage Making
Clonaslee College
Finalists: Niamh Coughlan, Grace Kelly, Cadhla Barret, Michelle Breen
Title: Women in Agriculture
Coláiste Naomh Cormac
Finalist: Anthony Collins, Shaun Lynch
Title: ‘For Peats Sake’
Portlaoise College
Finalists: Luke Kelly, Conor Keogh, Sean Walshe, James Miller
Title: Safety is key for the success of Irish Agriculture
Castlepollard Community College
Finalist: Katie McCormack
Title: Ground Water Quality on Irish Farms
Mullingar Community College
Finalists: Ben Brady, Noah Onabajo, Hayley Doyle
Title: The Trials and Challenges faced by Modern Farmers
Virginia College
Finalists: Fionn Brady, Louis Faulkner, Casey Johnston, Katie Fitzsimons
Title: Traffic Light Slurry Spreading
Clonaslee College
Finalists: Senan O’Brien, Kevin McCann, Cullen Hyland, Ronan Cuddy
Title: Calf to Beef System
Coláiste Naomh Cormac
Finalists: Stephen Newton, Jack Feighery, Sean Dillon, Cody Mahon
Title: Future Farmers
Mullingar Community College
Finalist: Kamile Ochotnikova
Title: Further Education in Agriculture
Clonaslee College
Finalists: Conor Flanagan, Ethan Flanagan
Title: Soil Health
Coláiste Naomh Cormac
Finalists: Blaithín Egan, Ava Sweeney, Aine Gleeson, Caitlin Hynes
Title: ‘Women In Ag’
Mullingar Community College
Finalists: Leah Heffernan, Layla Dowd, Laurynn McVeigh, Tyler Byrne
Title: Careers in Agriculture
Mullingar Community College
Finalists: Maria Miguel, Ava Malone, Alan Lobodzinski, Idal Abraham Wilby
Title: How Pesticides affect plants
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:
- The Basics
- Groundwork
- Sow, Grow, Know
- Love Your Livestock
- Farming For the Future
- Project Preparation
