Voice of the Professionals

The ASA is the professional body for graduates in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and food science and technology. Its members operate across the entire industry, covering government departments, research, advisory, education and training, agri-business, rural organisations and the media.

Founded in 1942, the ASA is recognised by the government as a negotiating body and has played an active role in policy development and in ensuring that the expertise of its members is utilised fully in the national interest and that the professional interest of its members are promoted and protected.

Members of the ASA have been to the forefront in guiding change and helping the industry to increase productivity and innovation and to enhance Ireland’s reputation as a producer of quality safe food.

In their diverse roles, members are in contact with every farmer, food processor, input and service provider as well as students at all levels of the education cycle thereby giving the ASA a unique feel for the pulse of the agri-food economy and rural Ireland.

The mission of the ASA is to develop the profession of the agricultural science graduate by promoting their capabilities and expertise, by providing access to key knowledge for development and by improving the skills of the agricultural science graduate so that they can deliver superior business results.

The ASA is registered in Ireland as “An Cumann Eolaiocht Talmhaiochta”, its operations are governed by statute with its office based in the Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12.

ASA is managed and administered on behalf of its members by an elected council, working closely with a full-time Manager and part-time Secretary. The Council is made up of 20 members, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and ordinary members. Council members are elected for a period of two years, with the possibility of re-election for two further such periods. There is an annual succession in the positions of President and vice-president while those of the Secretary and Treasurer tend to be for longer periods. Elections take place at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September, which also provides the occasion for an Annual Congress & Banquet

ASA provides a variety of services to Agricultural graduates including the scheduling and coordination of a number of activities and events. These include: an annual Banquet and Conference, Technical Seminars, Regional Business seminars, golf outings and other social and networking activities.
Other direct services to members include: professional lobbyist services to represent our members with government agencies, communications in the form of a bi-monthly newsletter, as well as special bulletins, a weekly jobs alert email and group membership benefits packages. The latter involves coordinating on behalf of our members' dealings with for example, insurance companies and other service providers for special rates and discounts.

The current membership is approximately 1200 persons. The annual membership fee is €120. Discounts are provided for students and recent graduates who pay € 50 in their final year undergrad year and for 2 years after graduation; €80 per annum are paid in the following two subsequent years.
Research shows that the number of Agricultural graduates currently employed in Ireland is approximately 4000 persons. There was a decline in numbers graduating in the mid to late 90’s, but that number is now on the increase again. In recent years there were about 100 to 150 graduates per year, but in 2010 will increase to about 200 graduates. There are more than 200 businesses and organisations in Ireland which employ Ag graduates; the split between those working in traditional agribusiness areas and other areas is approximately 75%: 25% respectively. Our members, for the most part are employed in government departments, research, advisory, education and Agri- Technical Sales, consultancy and management.

The main Degree programme for an ASA member is a B.Agr.Sc. from University College Dublin (UCD). There are now also members from the Agricultural Degree Course in Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). A high proportion of members now have higher degrees to include Masters and Doctorates with a number also taking additional degrees in other disciplines.
Registration/Membership of ASA is not a legal requirement for practice as an Agricultural Professional in Ireland.

ASA is a member of Cedia, and through the North / South Agrilink initiative, has close cooperation with Agricultural graduates in Northern Ireland and their representative body NIIAS (Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science).