Good news for anyone putting together their application for the FBD Women & Agriculture Awards-the deadline has been extended until August 14.

A full-time mother of three, farmer and entrepreneur, Valerie was nominated for the FBD Women & Agriculture Awards by a member of her marketing team, but it was her husband Alan that first saw the announcement in Irish Country Living.

“I was honoured to be a part of the competition. It was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to meet so many women of such a high calibre. I couldn’t believe it when I was named as a winner. The ceremony at Lyons Estate was fabulous, we were treated like royalty.”

It wasn’t all relaxed royalty though.

“I’ll never forget the day the judges arrived to the farm, it was chaotic. We had a school tour visiting so, as well as showing them around the farm, we had 30 school children in tow. However, it all went well in the end and the judges were very enthusiastic and supportive about what I was doing in Glenilen.”

Using milk from their dairy farm, Glenilen has the most delicious yoghurts and desserts stocked across the country and since taking part in the competition in 2011, they have grown massively, doubling their turnover annually.

“Since winning the awards, there is great recognition of our brand. When you’re trying to grow a business, this attention is invaluable. We have a stand at the National Ploughing Championships and Bloom every year and it’s lovely when people come over for a chat, who still remember the name from the FBD Women & Agriculture Awards. Growing our business has helped us employ neighbours and locals that would have otherwise had to move away to find work.”

Although Valerie is still a key member in the running of Glenilen farm, her husband and fantastic team of employees have enabled her to step back and take a more hands-on role at home raising her children.