A Co. Kilkenny dairy farmer, Paul Bowden, has been declared the 2017 National Winner of the Farm Relief Services (FRS) Memorial Scholarship.

The 23-year-old from Urlingford received the scholarship which rewards students who show outstanding leadership ability.

Studying in Kildalton Agricultural College, Bowden will go on to take up a paid placement with FRS to learn about their business after college.

The national finals of the FRS Scholarship took place at the Teagasc Colleges Challenge Day in Kildalton Agricultural College on Tuesday, January 17.

The scholarship is run in conjunction with Macra na Feirme and a winner is selected to represent each Teagasc college as a national finalist.

Representing Kildalton, Bowden gave his presentation on the leadership skills of a furniture maker John Lee, a passion which he himself pursues, in the national finals.

He made his presentation to a judging panel made up of Padraig Madden from FRS Networks, Seán Finan, National President of Macra and James Maher, Education Resource Coordinator with Teagasc.

Students from Kildalton Agricultural College were the overall winners in the annual ‘Colleges Challenge Day’ beating off competition from six other agricultural colleges.

The challenge day has become an annual event since the introduction of the leadership module to all Teagasc level five college courses in 2008.

Back Row (L-R) Michael Lally, William Gleeson, Stephanie Shine, Christopher Kenny. Front Row (L-R) James Maher Teagasc, Padraig Madden FRS Network, Paul Bowden, Sean Finan Macra President

Back Row (L-R) Michael Lally, William Gleeson, Stephanie Shine, Christopher Kenny. Front Row (L-R) James Maher Teagasc, Padraig Madden FRS Network, Paul Bowden, Sean Finan Macra President

Macra na Feirme National President Sean Finan congratulated all the students who took part in the event.

He also encouraged students to get involved in their local Macra clubs as a means of keeping in touch with other people in the farming sector of a similar age when they leave agricultural college

The aim of the scholarship is aimed at helping to develop the agricultural industry, Padraig Madden, from FRS Networks, said.

This is the ninth year of the memorial scholarship and FRS is delighted once again to give a dedicated student like Paul the opportunity to gain that all important work experience through placement with an FRS office.

Speaking after the presentations, Tony Pettit, Head of Education at Teagasc, acknowledged the huge effort put in by staff and indeed students for making the leadership module an integral part of the level five courses.