Join the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS)
The Organic Farming Scheme is a 5 year scheme run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and The Marine (DAFM) which provides financial assistance to Organic Farmers.
Applications to the Organic Farming Scheme 2025 are being accepted up to and including Friday 29th November.
Full terms and conditions for the 2025 tranche of OFS can be viewed here. The rates of payment for OFS are below.
A new calculator has also been developed to assess the value of converting to organic and calculate the rates of payment. This is available here.
APPLICATION
- Complete an application form to register with Organic Trust – click here to view the Application Form, or for a printer-friendly version you can click here.
- To make an application for payment under the Organic Farming Scheme, you must be registered on www.agfood.ie - if you are not already registered, you can register via this link.
- Complete some supporting documentation: an Animal Health Plan (needs to be stamped by a Vet), a Schedule of Areas, a Field History, a Crop Rotation Plan and a Commonage Form.
We will notify DAFM that we have received your completed registration form and DAFM will activate your www.agfood.ie entry to facilitate your online OFS application. The OT will let you know once this has been activated. You then must complete the online OFS application by the closing date.
INSPECTION
Following review of your application form, we will organise an inspection of your holding at a time convenient to you.
CERTIFICATION
Your inspector will submit an inspection report which will be reviewed by our certification panel. If everything is in order you will be issued with your first in-conversion licence.
APPROVED ORGANIC TRAINING COURSE
Finally, you must also complete the 25 hour Organic Production Principles Course if you have not already completed same. Providers of this course Teagasc and NOTS who are running the courses online, more information can be found here:
NOTS
Please note that you will be required to demonstrate your completion of the mandatory organic production course.
MORE INFO
If you would like to read some more detailed information on everything that's involved, you can check out the information booklet below - consider this your roadmap to becoming organically certified!
If you get into any difficulty filling out the application form, an informational step-by-step video is just below. You can also call the Organic Trust office on 045 882 377.
If you would like further advice, a list of organic advisors is available for your perusal.
MEET OUR MEMBERS
Profile of an organic Beef farm
Pat Booth at Killone Organic Farm
Profile of an organic Vegetable farm
Hilda and Dominic Crampton at Castleruddery Organic Farm
Profile of an organic Dairy farm
Gavin Lynch at Hells Kettle Organic Farm
Profile of an organic Tillage farm
Jenny McNally at McNally Family Farm
Frequently asked Questions
OFS / Grant Aid
General questions on eligibility for the Organic Farming Scheme
Cattle
Frequently asked question on the Organic Farming Scheme by Cattle farmers
Sheep
Frequently asked question on the Organic Farming Scheme by Sheep farmers
Horticulture and Tillage
Growers Frequently asked questions on the Organic Farming Scheme
Animal Health
Frequently asked questions on Animal Health
Animal Housing
Questions on Animal Housing and Organic Conversion