AGRICULTURE, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith officially opened the new education building at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny recently.
He described it as a significant step in the development of agricultural education in Ireland, and it was a clear demonstration of Teagasc’s leading role as an education provider to the agriculture and food sector.
Built at a cost of more than .4million, the new facility incorporates a lecture theatre, classrooms, laboratories, library and a range of student recreation facilities.
Kildalton College has been operating since 1971, and has a long tradition in providing agriculture and horticulture education programmes to the farming community. Over 600 students now attend further education and higher-level programmes at the college.
The minister complimented the staff at Kildalton for their dedication and hard work over the years. “I would like to congratulate Teagasc on the significant achievement in building this new state-of-the-art education facility at Kildalton College. This .4million investment demonstrates Teagasc’s continued commitment to providing quality education programmes for new entrants to farming, and continuing education for adult farmers and rural dwellers”.
Acknowledging the significant increase in agriculture college enrolments in recent years, the minister went on to say that in a rapidly changing environment, farm management skills and knowledge can improve the performance of individuals and the industry as a whole.