Two farmers have been selected for the Organic Trust Bursary Awards 2026 in conjunction with the department of land sciences at South East Technological University (SETU).

Liam Gilligan from Co. Sligo and James Conway from Co. Cavan are the recipients of this year’s Organic Trust Bursary Award.

The bursary scheme aims to support the students as they pursue postgraduate studies in organic agriculture and related disciplines at SETU.

Bursary

Liam Gilligan works on the family organic farm on Coney Island, Co. Sligo.

He completed his BSc degree in agriculture at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal in 2025.

Liam also works with Knocknarea Farm, a local regenerative market garden and farm shop and is an Organic Trust ambassador.

He is looking forward to sharing knowledge gained in his postgraduate studies with the department of land sciences at SETU.

"I am really looking forward to starting the masters programme at SETU, and very excited to learn the theory behind organic agricultural and horticultural practices," he said.

Farming

James Conway from Lisnahederna, Virginia, Co. Cavan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in materials and architectural technology with teacher education from the University of Limerick in 2014.

He completed his agriculture green cert at the Salesian College in Pallaskenry in Limerick, graduating in July 2023.

James is self-employed as the managing director of Truck Boards Ireland, which makes LED signages for trucks and transport vehicles.

On the home farm, he focuses on organic suckler beef production and the arable enterprise growing oats on contract for Flahavans in Kilmacthomas.

"I hope to use the learnings taken from the MSc in Organic and Biological Agriculture to grow the integration of my organic enterprises at home, but also to look at how this could also help develop organic businesses on other farms regionally and nationally," he said.

Organic Trust

Stephen Connolly, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Organic Trust, said the organisation was delighted to support the development of postgraduate education in organic agriculture.

"Supporting students who are committed to organic agriculture is an important investment in the future of the sector, and we are delighted to play a part in helping them advance their studies and careers," he said.

Eleanor Kent, head of the department of land sciences at SETU, said the programme has grown and developed in recent years.

"This is in large part due to the encouragement and support of our partners across the organic sector.

"The Organic Trust, organic certification bodies, the National Organic Training Skillnet, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Organic Unit at Johnstown Castle have all played an important role in supporting the development of organic education and training," she said.