A 25-year-old beef and sheep farmer from Ardrahan has been named this week as the Galway FBD Young Farmer of the Year.
Gerald Harney will go on to represent his county at the semi-final of the 13th annual FBD Young Farmer of the Year Competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA.
Mr Harney has been involved in the running of his farm for many years. He holds an advanced certificate in drystock management and he plans to develop his farm by increasing herd size and introducing energy crops such as oilseed rape.
He is actively involved in his local community and is currently acting as vice-chairperson of Ardrahan IFA branch and the Young Farmer Development Group chairperson for Galway Macra. He is chairman of Ardrahan Gun Club and is also involved in running the local agricultural show.
County finalists will compete against 25 of the country’s other top young farmers in the national semi-final, which takes place in the Seafields Hotel, Gorey, Co Wexford, on August 29. Six finalists will then be chosen to go through to the national final the next day.
“Macra na Feirme has championed the cause for young farmers for over 75 years,” said Macra na Feirme national president Alan Jagoe, who was a finalist in this competition in 2010. “The FBD Young Farmer of the Year is an opportunity for us to celebrate the best young farmers in the industry. The competition reflects the dynamic, innovative, and strong young leaders that exist in agriculture. Having participated in the competition myself, I am delighted to see the enthusiasm and dedication of the young farmers in the competition.”
