The 2018 FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition will feature a new biodiversity award. Supported by the National Rural Network, the aim of the award is to recognise the importance of sustainable farming. Agriculture relies on biodiversity in many ways: bees pollinate crops, earthworms build soil fertility, bacteria and soil biota break down nutrients and birds and insects keep plant disease and pests in check.

Macra na Feirme president James Healy said: ‘‘We are delighted with the addition of the National Rural Network biodiversity award to the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition. As an organisation that represents young farmers, we place the utmost importance on sustainable farming and practising farming methods that improve biodiversity. This award will recognise our young farmers who are going the extra mile to secure our farms and environment for future generations.”

Commenting on the Biodiversity Farmer of the Year award, Philip Farrelly from the National Rural Network said: “Farmers play a major role in maintaining and managing biodiversity. They are the custodians of the land and the environment and their actions play a key role in maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Farmers have to be able to demonstrate it is possible to produce food sustainably while meeting the needs of the environment. The National Rural Network believes the inclusion of the biodiversity award in the FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition will raise farmers’ awareness of biodiversity.”

Funding

The Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 provides funding for agri- environment, climate measures and knowledge transfer.

Measures undertaken by farmers under schemes such as GLAS and the organic farming scheme have already had many positive effects on biodiversity. The Knowledge Transfer scheme has been used to enhance adviser knowledge on biodiversity and bring the priorities of biodiversity preservation to the top of the farmer agenda.

The final of the 2018 FBD Young Farmer of the Year in association with the IFA will take place on 11 September 2018 at the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin.