The Galway FBD Young Farmer of the Year county finalist has been announced as Gerald Harney from Ardrahan, County Galway.
Mr Harney will go on to represent his county at the semi-final of the 15th annual FBD Young Farmer of the Year Competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA.
County finalists will compete against 23 of the country’s other top young farmers in the national semi-finals, which take place in a number of locations on August 27 and 29. Six finalists will then be chosen to go through to the national final taking place on September 3 in the Dunraven Arms hotel, Adare, County Limerick.
Macra na Feirme national president, Kieran O’Dowd, said: “This is the 15th year that Macra na Feirme has run this prestigious competition. Young farmers nationwide are recognised through these awards for the contribution they make to the industry. These young farmers show outstanding leadership in the areas of agricultural knowledge, business acumen and farm safety.”
The aim of this prestigious competition 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.
