On the first episode of our new podcast, Growing Minds, aimed at secondary school students, Sarah McIntosh speaks to two college students about the different pathways into agriculture, student life and the future of farming.

The Irish Farmers Journal has launched a brand-new podcast series, ‘Growing Minds’, aimed at secondary school students and those studying agricultural science in school.

On this week's episode, careers and education journalist Sarah McIntosh explores the different educational pathways into agricultural science through the CAO system and beyond.

Joining her live in the studio are two third-level students, Ciaran McLoughlin, the Ag Soc auditor in University College Dublin and Ellen Feerey, a final year student from South East Technological University, Waterford.

Hailing from a sheep farm in Trim, Co Meath Ciaran outlines why he decided to study a course in UCD and what growing up on a farm taught him from a young age.

Ellen from Tyrellspass, Co Westmeath took a different pathway into college, spending two years in Gurteen Agriculture College before transferring into a Level 8 agriculture science degree at SETU. She outlines the benefit this had on her studies and why she would encourage other students to look into alternative pathways.

Both students offer their advice on studying agricultural science, what to look out for when choosing your college course and what the future of farming looks like from a young perspective.

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