National Organic Training Skillnet

What National Organic Training Skillnet does

National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) is a not-for-profit training network established in 2007 that delivers part-funded training to the organic, biological, and regenerative agriculture sectors throughout the Republic of Ireland. The network serves farmers, food businesses, processors, growers, agricultural professionals, consultants, and new entrants, coordinating in-person and online courses across categories including horticulture, floristry, agriculture, apiculture, dry stone walling, homeopathy, homesteading, holistic management, and organic farming. NOTS operates from a single headquarters in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, with a staff of seven, and is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland (which channels National Training Fund money from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science), the European Union under ESF+, and member companies.

The business model centers on free automatic membership that grants access to reduced course fees, with the gap between full training cost and member price underwritten by Skillnet Ireland and EU co-funding; course fees must be paid in advance and cannot be paid in instalments for courses under €1,000. Training delivery is executed by qualified third-party trainers coordinated by NOTS staff, and the network supplements training revenue with a small online book store (€10–€30 per title, postage included) selling curated titles on organic and regenerative farming. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations run on a third-party course management system (courseco.co) and a standard e-commerce storefront, with marketing executed through the website, email newsletter, and organic social channels (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube).

The network's distribution is entirely domestic (Republic of Ireland only), with nationwide farm walks and local group meetings used to build community among organic producers and processors. Governance is provided by a steering group that includes the Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-operative, the Irish Organic Association, and Organic Trust. There is no equity ownership, no disclosed revenue, no M&A activity, and no AI/ML capability described in the available data.

Name

National Organic Training Skillnet

Legal name

National Organic Training Skillnet

Website

https://nots.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NOTS is an Ireland-based not-for-profit training network delivering part-funded courses in organic, biological, and regenerative agriculture to farmers, food businesses, processors, growers, agricultural professionals, and consultants across the Republic of Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crop, Soil & Agronomy Technician Training (EDAOAOAF)

Keywords

• Organic farming training
• Agricultural education
• Regenerative agriculture courses
• Agri-food training network
• Horticulture and farming courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Leitrim

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: NOTS charges reduced training fees that are part-funded by Skillnet Ireland. The grant is applied as a reduced training cost, not paid directly to members. Course fees must be paid in advance.
2. Book Sales: NOTS operates a shop selling books on organic farming, biodynamics, regenerative agriculture, and related topics. Prices range from €10 to €30 per book, with postage and packaging included.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) is a not-for-profit training network that delivers part-funded, low-cost training courses to the organic, biological, and regenerative agriculture sectors across the Republic of Ireland. It coordinates in-person and online specialist courses covering horticulture, floristry, agriculture, business of food, apiculture, dry stone wall, homeopathy, food production, homesteading, holistic management, and organic farming. The organization also operates an online book store and facilitates nationwide networking events such as farm walks and local group meetings.

Product overview

NOTS is a not-for-profit training network offering high-quality, low-cost, part-funded training for the organic and agri-food sectors throughout the Republic of Ireland. The organization operates two main offerings: (1) NOTS Training Courses — a wide range of specialist in-person and online courses covering horticulture, floristry, agriculture, food business, apiculture, dry stone walling, homeopathy, food production, homesteading, holistic management, and organic farming; and (2) NOTS Book Store — an online retail store selling books on organic farming, biodynamics, regenerative agriculture, soil health, and sustainable food production. Additionally, NOTS facilitates nationwide events including farm walks and local group meetings. Membership is free and provides access to part-funded training rates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• NOTS has been providing training since 2007
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered key and minor.

• Organic TrustkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic Trust is listed as a key partner and has representation on the NOTS steering group alongside Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op and Irish Organic Association.
• Irish Organic AssociationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish Organic Association (Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association) is listed as a key partner with representation on the NOTS steering group.
• Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-operativekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeitrim Organic Farmers Co-op has representation on the NOTS steering group which manages the not-for-profit network.
• The Organic CentreminorOthersThe Organic Centre is listed among organic organizations that may be relevant to NOTS members.
• The Soil AssociationminorOthersInternational organic organization listed as a partner resource for NOTS members.
• The Biodynamic AssociationminorOthersBiodynamic association listed as a partner resource for members interested in biodynamic farming.
• TeagascminorOthersGovernment agricultural advisory body listed as a development organization partner.
• Bord BiaminorOthersIrish food board listed as a foodie organization partner relevant to the organic food sector.
• Slow Food IrelandminorOthersSlow Food Ireland is listed as a foodie organization partner.
• Department of AgricultureminorOthersDepartment of Agriculture listed as a regional and national development organization partner.
• Western Development CommissionminorOthersWestern Development Commission listed as a regional development organization partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Soil Association: UK-based charity that certifies organic food and farming and runs producer training, farm visits, and educational programs. Highly comparable in mission (organic education and certification) but primarily serves the UK market rather than Ireland.

Others

• Bord Bia: Irish state food board promoting Irish food, drink, and horticulture at home and abroad. Listed as a partner of NOTS, with overlapping interest in Irish food/producer development, though Bord Bia is primarily a marketing/standards body rather than a training network.

Broad incumbents

• Skillnet Ireland: State-funded agency that co-funds and oversees enterprise-led learning networks across multiple industries. NOTS is itself a Skillnet Ireland network, making Skillnet Ireland the structural parent/funding umbrella and the most directly comparable network operator at a broader portfolio level.
• Teagasc: Ireland's national agriculture and food development authority, providing research, advisory, and training services across the entire agri-food sector. A broader incumbent with overlapping training delivery for farmers, but operating across all farming types rather than specializing in organic/regenerative.
• IFOAM – Organics International: Global umbrella organization for the organic agriculture movement, coordinating training, policy advocacy, and capacity building worldwide. A broader incumbent aligned with NOTS's organic sector focus, but operating globally rather than delivering national-level training.

Direct peers

• Irish Organic Association: Ireland's largest organic certification body (IOFGA), which also provides training, technical events, and member education for organic producers and processors. A steering group partner of NOTS and directly comparable in Irish organic sector education activities.
• Organic Research Centre: UK-based independent research and education charity focused on organic and agroecological farming. Comparable in delivering organic-focused training and knowledge exchange to farmers and growers, though UK-focused.
• The Organic Centre: Irish not-for-profit organization based in Co. Leitrim that delivers education, training, and demonstration in organic horticulture and sustainable living. Directly comparable to NOTS in mission (organic education) and Irish geographic focus, with overlap in horticulture and grower training.
• Organic Trust: Irish organic certification body that also runs training events and workshops for licensees and prospective organic operators. Has representation on the NOTS steering group; comparable in Irish organic sector focus and overlap in producer training, though primarily a certifier rather than a dedicated training network.
• Biodynamic Association: UK-based charity supporting biodynamic farming through training events, workshops, and the Demeter certification scheme. Directly comparable in offering specialist training in biodynamic/organic methods and listed as a partner resource for NOTS members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/natorgskill
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHBm83CrN3VVJEAIza_L4bw
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalorganicskillnet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-organic-training-skillnet
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalorganicskillnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Organic Training Skillnet