CAFRE Apprenticeship supports a dairy farmer’s diversification success
Date published:
James Curry, from Keady in County Armagh, completed a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Agriculture with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), marking a milestone in his journey toward becoming a full‑time dairy farmer and young agri‑food entrepreneur.
James chose the Apprenticeship programme because it allowed him to combine education with the day‑to‑day responsibilities of farming. The one‑day‑a‑week structure of the Level 3 Apprenticeship programme offered the perfect balance between classroom learning and practical experiences.
“Being able to bring what I learned in class straight back to the farm was great,” James says. “It helped me understand the ‘why’ behind what we do every day.”
Through his training, James developed advanced skills in herd management, grassland planning, breeding, animal health and farm business operations – skills that were essential as he prepared to take on greater responsibility at home. After completing his qualification James assumed a leading role in the management of the family’s 150‑cow dairy herd. Today, he oversees daily milking routines, herd health and fertility, grass and feed planning, animal welfare and housing, as well as data recording and performance monitoring.
However, the Curry family has taken their business a step further. Alongside managing the herd, they have successfully diversified their business through their value‑added venture, Bachelors Walk Dairy – The Milk Bar.
This enterprise includes a 24/7 milk vending machine offering a variety of fresh milkshake flavours, a contactless self‑service coffee machine using their own dairy produce, and homemade ice cream – all using pasteurised milk from their Holstein herd. This growing business has become a popular stop for locals, with customers travelling to sample the products and support a true farm‑to‑consumer model.
James credits his CAFRE experience for helping shape the direction of the business, saying: “CAFRE helped me understand how a modern dairy farm can evolve,” he says. “Completing the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Agriculture programme gave me the confidence to take on more responsibility and help build something new for the future. The skills I gained at CAFRE, particularly in business management, quality assurance, and animal production, have played a major role in shaping the direction of the farm’s diversification.”
James’s success shows how the right training can open doors to new skills, career progression and innovative farming opportunities. If you’re considering a future in agriculture whether on the family farm, in herd management, or in developing new agri-food ventures, a CAFRE Apprenticeship in Agriculture could be the perfect next step.
If you are interested in completing an Apprenticeship programme in Agriculture, we invite you to attend one of CAFRE’s upcoming Apprenticeship Open Evenings. These events provide the opportunity to meet staff and discover more information on the programmes.
Events will take place at 7pm at:
Enniskillen Campus – Tuesday 14 April 2026
Loughry Campus – Wednesday 15 April 2026
Greenmount Campus – Thursday 16 April 2026
Please visit the CAFRE website for more information.
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