Friday of this week, July 12th, is the closing date for nominations for the 5th annual West Cork Farming Awards, run by The Southern Star in conjunction with the Celtic Ross Hotel.
BY CON DOWNING
FRIDAY of this week, July 12th, is the closing date for nominations for the 5th annual West Cork Farming Awards, run by The Southern Star in conjunction with the Celtic Ross Hotel.
Nominations can be made through the form that is at the bottom of farming pages 19 and 20 of this issue of The Southern Star or online by clicking on https://www.southernstar.
Forms have also been distributed through the four West Cork co-ops, Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird – as well as Teagasc offices. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday, July 12th, and they should be sent to: West Cork Farming Awards, Southern Star, Ilen Street, Skibbereen, Co Cork, or made online
This year there are five categories in which the general public gets to make nominations, as follows:
• Young Farmer award
• Sustainability & Diversification
• Dairy Farmer of the Year
• Drystock Farmer of the Year
• Hall of Fame award
There will again be a special Judges’ Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Farming Community. We are now looking for nominations from people involved in farming, the agri industry and members of the general public of people they feel are worthy of being considered for these awards. Each winner will receive a specially-commissioned trophy and a prize to the value of €500.
Having chosen the category on the entry form for which you wish to make a nomination, tell us briefly why you think the person is deserving of this award, but make sure you tell the person you are nominating in case they do not wish to let their name go forward for consideration. People may also nominate themselves.
Nominations are currently being accepted and we would urge people to note the closing date of Friday next. If you have any enquiries, call us on 028-21200.
The judging panel will again be chaired by Con Downing, editor of The Southern Star, and includes Tom Curran, regional manager of Teagasc Cork West; JJ Walsh, business advisor, and John Buckley, former Macra Young Farmer of the Year. Decisions of the judges will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The shortlists in the various categories will be announced in August and the winners will be presented with their awards during a gala West Cork farming family day in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, on Sunday, September 22nd next.
