The FBD Young Farmer of the Year county finalists have been announced this week. They will go on to represent their counties or regions at the semi-final of the competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the Irish Farmers Association and FBD . A young farmer survey, being carried out in conjunction with the competition is currently being compiled by Macra. You can take the survey here.
Below are The FBD Young Farmer of the Year County Finalists:
| Eoin O’Byrne | Carlow |
| Annieka Cadden | Cavan |
| Colm Ryan | Clare |
| John T Mullins | Avondhu, Cork |
| John Buckley | Carbery, Cork |
| Donal Sweeney | Seandun, Cork |
| John Michael Fitzgerald | Kerry |
| Gerald Harney | Galway |
| Thomas Hassett | Kilkenny |
| Richard Bond | Laois |
| Colm Stenson | Letrim |
| Tim Scanlon | Limerick |
| James Twaddle | Longford |
| Aidan Luddy | Louth |
| Pat Keane | Mayo |
| Peter Farrell | Meath |
| Paul Molloy | Offaly |
| Ed Payne | Roscommon |
| David McDonagh | Sligo |
| Mike Ahern | North Tipperary |
| Hugh Michael Brown | South Tipperary |
| Esther Walsh | Waterford |
| Michael McCormack | Westmeath |
| James Turner Jnr | Wexford |
The 24 county finalists will each compete in the national semi-finals taking place on the 27-29 August. Six overall finalists will then go through to the rigorous final interview on the 3 September in the Dunraven Arms hotel, Adare, Co Limerick.
The aim of this prestigious competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA and FBD , is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. The competition is kindly supported by FBD Insurance. 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.
Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place as well as to winners of the “innovation” and “community involvement” awards and to each county winner. The overall winner of the competition will receive a bursary to undertake international travel and study farm practices.
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