There are just days left to enter the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition, which has a deadline of Friday, May 30.
Organised by Macra na Feirme, this year is the 16th running of the competition which looks for young farmers who are actively involved in the running of a farm, full or part time.
Macra National President, Kieran O’Dowd, said, “We’re calling on all ambitious young farmers to enter the 16th FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition and use it as a springboard for their future career. By taking part you’ll learn what other young farmers are doing, where you can improve and how you can be one of Ireland’s top young farmers. This is a prestigious competition which recognises the drive, ambition and hard work of the young farmers working in the sector today. Farming, in a new CAP era and with quota abolition in the near future, is an exciting industry full of opportunity.”
The aim of the competition is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to a number of criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement.
The overall winner of the competition will receive a bursary to undertake international travel and study farm practices. Young farmers can also be nominated for the competition. Anyone who nominates a young farmer will go into a draw for two nights B&B for two adults in any FBD hotel including dinner on one night. Forms are available from Macra na Feirme national office by phoning 01-426 8900, from your local IFA or FBD offices and for download on www.macra.ie and www.ifa.ie. You can also apply online – just log on to macra.ie