Tirlán and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur are marking five years of their Sustainable Farming Academy by opening applications for a fully funded Certificate in Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Tirlán co-op members. The course is delivered by University College Cork through its Adult Continuing Education programme and is designed to give farmers practical tools they can bring back to day-to-day decisions on their holdings.

The academy was created to help farm families take measurable steps on environmental and management issues while also improving productivity. According to UCC, the part-time, level 7 certificate is taught in a blended format with online learning and live sessions, and its content focuses on sustainable agriculture, particularly dairy farming and its environmental footprint.

Tirlán says the partnership has already helped build a sizeable alumni network. Chief ingredients officer Aoife Murphy said 60 co-op farm family suppliers have graduated from UCC through the academy, with another 20 due to complete their studies this year. She added that 15 education bursaries have also been awarded to co-op family members who have started third-level courses, alongside three Scholars' Events aimed at sharing knowledge across the membership.

For Baileys, the programme is part of a longer-standing sustainability effort with Irish cream suppliers. Global sustainability marketing manager Aisling Gorman said the academy shows the company’s commitment to helping farmers progress on their sustainability journey. One graduate, Brigid Carroll of Ballycanew, Co Wexford, described the course as worthwhile and empowering, saying it fitted around family life and the farm while helping her make changes in areas including fertiliser use, grassland management, energy use and animal care. Tirlán co-op members interested in the certificate have until 30 June 2026 to submit an expression of interest.

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