Young farmer award draws cream of the crop

LOOKING for a talented farmer with a bright future? Take your pick.

Described as the Rose of Tralee of the agricultural world, the FBD Young Farmer of the Year will be announced tonight in Waterford in what is for many the highlight of the farming calendar. To win, the 21 finalists will have to impress the judges with their business knowledge, safety skills, care of the environment and their community involvement.

The first winner of the competition in 1999, Michael Dee, said winning was the highlight of his life.

Winning is a massive deal for any young farmer. The 2003 champion, Michael Gowing, has gone on to become Macra na Feirme national president.

“This competition recognises their sheer hard work and we must not forget the contribution our young farmers make to our country’s well-deserved reputation for excellence,” he said.

This year over 40 young farmers entered the competition organised by Macra na Feirme. The organisation spokeswoman said with a giggle that they describe anybody between the ages of 17 and 35 as young.

There has never been a female winner of the competition and this year will be no different. There was one female entry this year and she never made the final 21.

The event began yesterday and the winner will be crowned tonight at the Tower Hotel in Waterford.

Organisers say the aim of the event is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country, but observers say these are the cream of the crop of the farming community in Ireland. County rounds of the competition took place during June and July with 21 young farmers making it through to the final.

Each year organisers pick a high-profile chairperson of the judging panel and this year is the turn of celebrity chef and Irish Examiner columnist Darina Allen.

They began a move away from choosing political figures for this role last year when Sean Gallagher of Dragons’ Den fame chaired the panel. Before that former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Albert Reynolds had the honours, as did former agriculture minister Joe Walsh and Senator Mary O’Rourke.

The judges interviewed the 21 finalists yesterday afternoon with more interviews taking place this morning. The finalists will be cut to six contestants who will be interviewed again today. The overall winner will be announced tonight at the awards ceremony and will pick up a cheque for €3,000.