Teagasc Student of the Year awards

By Kay Kevlihan

Protest at student award ceremony

The Teagasc Student of the Year Award at last week's Teagasc National Conference on Agricultural Education coincided with angry heckling of Minister Liam Aylward and a walk-out by a few farmers in Dublin Castle. Accusations of ‘pauperising' Irish farmers and shouts of no hope and no future in farming made at the National Conference has led to criticism of IFA by some students.

Catherine Seale, chairperson of Macra's Agricultural and Horticultural Student Council said that the timing of the protest had deflected attention away from the Student of the Year Awards. "This was a big day for the students and a few IFA members walked out bringing the media with them, just before the winner was announced,'' she said. "While many of the students would agree with what the IFA are saying about the Government's inaction over the problems facing farmers, the protest itself was embarrassing'', she said.

While the incident must have been disconcerting for 21 year National Student of the Year award winner, Kilkenny farmer Michael Parsons, he rose admirably to the occasion and gave a short, dignified speech in which he thanked his parents who, he said, taught him how to appreciate life. He added: "I am proud to be associated with farming and I am hopeful, with co-operation and good leadership, to meet the challenges of the future.''

Michael Parsons was chosen from 600 young people who completed the Certificate in Farming, the training programme for young entrants to farming. He pursued his agricultural trainng at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny and completed the Certificate in Farming at the Teagasc Training centre in Kilkenny. He is now involved in running the family's dairy, beef and tillage farm with his parents Mary and Michael, at Outrath, on the outskirts of Kilkenny.

Since completing his training courses, Michael has also undertaken a course in mechanical engineering in order to broaden his skills. He is an active member of Macra, is an accomplished ploughman and has joined a young farmers discussion group facilitated by Teagasc in Kilkenny. "It is good to listen to and talk with positive people,'' he said.

Optimism needed

Prior to the heckling incident Jim McCarthy, a Master Farmer from Co. Kildare, who gave a presentation from a farmer's perspective to the conference, gave a strong message of optimism to future farmers. He said today many parents are actively discouraging their children from farming "just like mine did 27 years ago, they see no opportunities and no future in farming.''

Mr. McCarthy said the reality is if someone wants to farm and has the burning ambition to do so, they will be successful. "I think it is far more important for parents to encourage their children to do what they really want to do. When a person is doing what they are really keen on they will be successful.''

With no farming background Mr McCarthy was actively encouraged at home to "get a good job in the Civil Service", advice he ignored when he studied farming. 25 years later he farms in excess of 2,000 acres owned by 19 farmers, most of them retired. The only land he and his wife Attracta own is three acres. "I can honestly say I have had 25 of the most wonderful years that I would not swop for anything,'' he said.