Small Talk with John Mulhern of College of Horticulture Teagasc

Pictured: John Mulhern

John discusses his career in education and horticulture, the success of the new horticulture apprenticeship programme, and the industry's current hurdles and opportunities

Horticulture

Read More: John Mulhern Small Talk Teagasc

23 August 2024

In association with Tully Nurseries

At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s horticulture trade. This month’s conversation is with John Mulhern, College principal at the College of Horticulture Teagasc.

How did you get your start in horticulture?

I have been involved in education for the majority of my career. I started with Teagasc in the early 90’s as an adviser and then teacher . I was appointed to the Horticultural College in Botanics Glasnevin in 2011 after spending sixteen years in the Agricultural College in Clonakilty, West Cork.

What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?

I think graduating from UCD was a big one for me and my parents. Being appointed College Principal with Teagasc was also a very proud day.

What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?

I think the recent COVID pandemic was a huge hurdle. The sudden shutting down of all face to face activities in education was tumultuous. Fortunately in Teagasc we had a very strong online portal and our excellent staff were agile and were able to continue the delivery of course work to our students. It was a very tough time for all concerned.

I do believe the pandemic has refocused people’s attitudes to Horticulture. People now look at their outside spaces in a different light and will consider putting money into the garden as opposed to other areas. This is of obvious benefit to Horticulturists. We need to get more young people into all aspects of Irish Horticulture.

Give us an example of a recent success you had in your work.

The launch last year of the new Horticulture apprenticeship which was industry led and driven by some excellent Teagasc colleagues. Now we have a programme which is made for apprentices to learn from industry experts directly and earn simultaneously.

Teagasc in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin are the facilitators of the new Hort apprenticeship and last year we started our first apprentice programme in Horticulture. These apprentices are based with their employers and attend the College based training for block release throughout the year. A fantastic model of learning for anyone wishing to start a career in the sector.

What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?

The labour shortage , the cost of doing business ,and getting the message across to the consumer about the benefits of Irish grown plant material for human nutrition and the built environment. Getting more young people into the industry.

What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?

I think that the race to sustainability that is underway in the minds of companies and individuals is a huge opportunity for the Hort sector. There is so much interest in the green agenda. We get a lot of students in our courses here at the Teagasc College in the National Botanic Gardens from diverse backgrounds who want to refocus on new opportunities in the environment and plant based sector.

I also think the new apprenticeship in Horticulture is a real opportunity for Horticulture businesses to capitalise on the appetite that is there among young people who would rather work and earn money simultaneously as opposed to going straight to College and the expense that it entails. The diversity of Horticulture is an enormous opportunity , whether in the edible sector or plants for the built environment. The expertise that is found in the Hort industry in Ireland is immense and needs to be highlighted at every opportunity.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in horticulture?

When choosing a career in Horticulture a person needs to be sure that this is the career that they seek and the way to be sure on that is to have gained experience in the industry in some shape or form. Employers are very keen to get new talent into the industry … they are quite willing to give people trial runs in the business and this can dictate a lot in terms of a person’s suitability.

Horticulture is not for everyone but in my experience there is a place for everyone that wants to get into the Horticulture industry. I have met so many people that have entered Horticulture from different careers and find a niche that they get involved in. Get experience and go to the next Teagasc Horticulture College open day. We provide courses from certificate to apprenticeship to degrees in Horticulture in conjunction with our partner South East Technological University (SETU).

What are your hopes for the future of Irish Horticulture?

I feel very optimistic about the future of Horticulture in Ireland. We need more positivity from the people that are already involved in the business of Horticulture. We need to get a lot more young people involved in the industry. We need much more awareness from the State , the public and the consumer of the value of Irish Horticulture. Events like Bloom by Bord Bia and programmes like Home Grown on RTE contribute hugely to the positivity of Irish Horticulture.

Education will play a critical role and Teagasc and the Botanic Gardens can provide the platform to elevate your career in Horticulture..

The College of Amenity Horticulture in Dublin’s National Botanic Gardens currently trains 300 students between all their courses. Offering programmes from Level 5 to Level 7, students gain hands-on experience and pursue careers in landscape design, garden centres, parks, and greenkeeping.

Small Talk is produced in association with Tully Nurseries, one of Ireland’s wholesale nurseries supplying landscape contractors, garden centres, DIYs and supermarkets in Ireland and the UK. For more visit tullynurseries.ie

Read More: John Mulhern Small Talk Teagasc