18 Tirlán farmers are graduating as the second group of family farm suppliers from the Tirlán and Baileys Sustainable Farming Academy.
This year’s graduates completed their diploma in Environment, Sustainability, and Climate from University College Cork (UCC), following a year-long programme to equip them with essential skills and knowledge to further enhance sustainable farming practices.
The academy is closely aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Farming Academy
Delivered by UCC, the diploma is accredited and fully funded, enabling farmers to balance their studies with full-time farm responsibilities and the third cohort of students began their studies in September 2024.
The programme covers a range of important topics, including: Earth science; climate change and sustainable development; ecology; applied geographical information systems; environmental protection; and practical environmental management.
Head of global sales at Tirlán, Darren Barcoe congratulated this year’s graduates:”Sustainability is at the core of what we do, both on our farms and within our co-op. These graduates have shown outstanding commitment to learning and applying sustainability principles.
“As part of Tirlán’s Living Proof strategy, we are proud to continue empowering our farm family suppliers to meet the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.
“Our partnership with Baileys remains central to delivering a world-class product, and it’s exciting to see the growing impact of the Sustainable Farming Academy as more farmers adopt sustainable practices,” he added.
Global supply director for Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, Robert Murphy added:”We are incredibly proud to be part of this initiative. At Baileys, sustainability is deeply rooted in how we operate, and supporting farmers through this programme is a key part of that.
“The dedication of these graduates highlights the progress being made to create a more sustainable future in farming.”
One of the 2023/2024 graduates, Anne Jennings, shared her experience: “The diploma programme has really opened my eyes to what’s possible when it comes to sustainable farming. I’ve learned how to implement real changes on my farm, and I’m excited to continue this journey into the future.”