2026 FAS and ACRES Advisor Training Courses for New FAS Advisors

All New applicants who are interested in becoming an approved FAS (Farm Advisory System) and/or ACRES advisor must attend the annual in-person FAS & ACRES training provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)

At the training course, you will receive information that is relevant to new FAS Advisors.

FAS training for the new applicants takes place once a year.

To be eligible to become a DAFM approved FAS Advisor, the following will be required:

Education Requirements

In order to be an accredited FAS advisor, the minimal educational Qualifications required are listed below:

• A primary degree qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in Agricultural Science, and,

• Have taken soil science and an animal or crop production subject as part of the Level 8 Degree or have taken soil science and animal or crop production subjects equivalent to that delivered as part of the Level 8 degree as part of another qualification.

A degree transcript from the relevant institution will be sought from each applicant by DAFM for verification of educational qualifications. Transcripts must be submitted and approved by DAFM prior to attending to ensure the qualification criteria as set out above is met.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Each applicant must provide a valid Professional Indemnity Insurance Certificate to a minimum of €150,000 per advisor. Please note the insurance should be in date and with a business description clearly stating, “Agricultural Consultant”. The insurance can be provided by your employer or purchased in your own name/agency. All correspondence with the FAS section should be via your work email address where applicable.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

If it is established that your Educational Qualifications satisfy the requirements for you to be considered for FAS approval, you will be granted access to the DAFM Continuous Professional Development (CPD) eLearning portal. CPD involves the upskilling of Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved Agricultural Advisors in some of the key priority areas for the sector (biodiversity, ecology, climate change, water and soil, health and safety etc). Please note that the CPD modules are on subjects relevant to your development as a FAS Advisor and must all be completed prior to you being considered for FAS approval.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

Each year all current and new applicants will be issued with the FAS application form to be signed and dated. The form must be completed in its entirety (except where a new applicant has not received their AGT/AGY number). All pages must be returned to Farmadvisorysystem@agriculture.gov.ie

*Each agricultural agent must have their own unique email address

Register as an FAS Approved Agricultural Agent

As a suitably qualified planner, advisor or consultant with recognised experience in completing significant application forms on behalf of farmers, you can submit the form below to Online Services. Please note you can only register as an agent and receive access to Agfood account once you are FAS approved, and your details are published on the official list on the Department’s website.

Agent/Agency Registration Form

New FAS Advisor Training Course details:

• Venue: Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co Laois
• Date: 16th February 2026
• Times: 9.10am – 17.15pm (Registrations begin @ 8.00am)

*ACRES training for New Advisors will take place in the same venue as above on 17th February 2026. To book a place on the ACRES course please contact ACRES@agriculture.gov.ie

To submit your transcripts and book a place on the New FAS Advisor Training Course, Please contact farmadvisorysystem@agriculture.gov.ie

For further information on the Farm Advisory System (FAS) please click on the following link: Farm Advisory System (FAS)