A family farm that spans the generations, a commitment to be custodians of the land, a working life that doesn’t just pay the bills, it’s a passion. When it comes to farming families, there is a wealth of history, hard work and local endeavour that should be acknowledged. Now that the United Nations has designated 2014 as the Year of Family Farming, we plan to do just that.

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Irish Farmers Journal and FBD UN Year of Family Farming Awards in association with Teagasc and the IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee. These prestigious awards have a prize fund of €25,000, with the overall winner in line to win €8,000. So how can you prove that when it comes to family farming, no one does it quite as well as you?

The questions

Simply answer each of the following questions in 200 words or less.

  • • Tell us how proud you are of the farm on which you live and what you produce there.
  • • Tell us how your farming family contributes to local and/or voluntary organisations.
  • • Tell us how your farming family has dealt with the ups and downs that farming and family life presents.
  • • Tell us why you believe your farming family should win the title of Ireland’s top farming family.
  • It will be expected that whatever farming enterprise is involved, it is being carried out to a high standard and with a keen eye for safety.

    Entering this competition means you can create some fantastic memories with your nearest and dearest as shortlisted families will be recognised at an award ceremony at the National Ploughing Championships.

    The celebrations don’t stop there either. The overall winning family will be announced and presented with their prize by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, at a special event in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, on 4 November 2014.

    Getting excited and thinking that your farming family has what it takes? Alternatively, do you know a family that fits the bill perfectly but would never nominate themselves?

    Closing date for applications is Monday, 7 July. Visit www.farmersjournal.ie/surveys/ to enter.

    Thoughts on the event

    Mairead Lavery, editor, Irish Country Living

    “Here in the Irish Farmers Journal, we just couldn’t let this, the UN Year of Family Farming, go by without celebrating the huge contribution that Irish farming families make to all aspects of life in the countryside. They are the linchpin of our biggest indigenous industry and expanding agri-business sector. We are delighted that FBD, IFA Farm Family Committee and Teagasc are supporting this award. With your entries we can make this a farming celebration that will long be remembered.”

    Conor Gouldson, FBD’s company secretary

    “The Irish farm family was at the centre of FBD’s establishment and has been at the centre of our business in the four decades since. While many of our initiatives over the years support Irish farm families, it is particularly fitting and we are delighted to be sponsors of these awards with the Irish Farmers Journal in the UN Year of Family Farming. We are very pleased also to see both IFA and Teagasc involved. We would encourage all of our customers to nominate neighbours and friends who they believe are worthy of recognition through these awards. There must be many such families throughout Ireland and this is the time to celebrate them.”

    Maura Canning, chair, IFA Farm Family Committee

    “This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the huge contribution that farm families make to the economic and social life of local communities, as they produce top-quality Irish food and care for the countryside. More than other enterprises, farming is a family affair and it often takes hard work and a combined effort by parents, children and grandparents to succeed. You must be resilient to overcome setbacks, but the reward is a quality of life for families and communities that is second to none.”

    Larry O’Loughlin, regional manager in the Advisory Service, Teagasc

    “This highly innovative competition celebrates the role of Irish farm families in the development of the Irish agriculture and food industry. Family farms are the foundations on which our agricultural industry was built. They continue to stay at the heart of Irish and European agriculture as robust generators of competitiveness, growth and jobs, and of dynamic and sustainable rural economies. We look forward to the variety and high standard of entries that we will see in the next few weeks.”