With a prize fund of €25,000, the revised deadline for the UN Year of Family Farming competition is fast approaching.

Whether you’re entering your own family or nominating friends or neighbours, all entries must be received by 18 July.

The competition, which is generously sponsored by FBD, and supported by Teagasc and the IFA, is an opportunity to promote all that is good about family farming in Ireland.

While it is expected that good farming practice and attention to safety will characterise the winning entries, this competition is also about the farming family and its pride in the farm and what they produce there, the challenges either personal or work-related that have been overcome and the contribution made by the farming family to the local community or voluntary organisations.

The winning family will receive a cash prize of €8,000, presented by President Michael D Higgins. There are cash prizes for provincial winners and runners-up.

All the details on how to enter or nominate a farming family are on page 19 of this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.