The search for the young farmer of the year has begun. This year’s FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition run by Macra na Feirme and supported by the Irish Farmers’ Association will focus on farm safety.
Applications are sought from farmers under 35 who have been actively involved in the running of a farm for at least three years.
County winners will go through to the All-Ireland final in September. The winner will receive a bursary to travel abroad and study farm practices.
Entrants will be judged on criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, farm efficiency and enterprise quality, environmental protection awareness, agricultural knowledge and community involvement.
Macra na Feirme president Alan Jagoe said the competition, which is in its 14th year, was looking for outstanding young farmers who showed innovation and business acumen.
IFA president John Bryan urged young farmers to participate.
“It is vital that we acknowledge the many highly educated young people who have embarked on a successful career in farming,” he said. “Although as a country we face challenging times, agriculture is the backbone of the economy.”
Application forms are available from macra.ieand ifa.ie. The closing date for applications or nominations is May 25th.