The 2018 Teagasc / FBD Student of the Year has been announced as Paul Bowden.
Paul comes from a dairy/beef farm in Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, and attended Kildalton College.
He completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture – Dairy Herd Management, which included placement in New Zealand.
His objective is to expand the dairy herd and reduce beef enterprise.
First runner up on the day was revealed to be Jennifer Aherne, from Co. Limerick, who completed the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration at the Ennis centre.
Jennifer Aherne, 1st runner up in the @teagasc @fbd_ie student of the year 2018, being presented with her award by Minister Michael Creed; Fiona Muldoon, FBD CEO; Prof Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director and James Healy, MACRA #studentoftheyear2018 pic.twitter.com/UsPduRqtsz
— Teagasc (@teagasc) March 27, 2019
Meanwhile, Cavan man Karl Heaslip was announced as second runner up at this year’s awards. Karl attended Ballyhaise College where he completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture – Dairy Herd Management.
Karl Heaslip, 2nd runner up in the @teagasc @fbd_ie student of the year 2018, being presented with his award by Minister Michael Creed; Fiona Muldoon, FBD CEO; Prof Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director and James Healy, MACRA #studentoftheyear2018 pic.twitter.com/HYoXf3l6gB
— Teagasc (@teagasc) March 27, 2019
Also speaking at the event, Fiona Muldoon, CEO of FBD, which sponsors the awards, encouraged the finalists to “prioritise farm safety for your own sake, your families and your employees”.
Prof. Gerry Boyle outlined that no more than 7,000 students went through the Teagasc education programme last year; while Tony Petit also outlined the achievements of this year’s finalists.