Offaly woman wins Teagasc Dairy Student Award
Local woman Maria Keane recently won the Dairy Student Category Award at the Teagasc /FBD Student of the Year Awards.
Ms Keane completed the Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming at Gurteen Agricultural College.
The awards sponsored by FBD were made to the top graduates of Teagasc Level 6 agricultural training programmes in 2021.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, congratulated all of the 18 finalists and said: “Having young, dynamic, enthused and, most importantly, educated farmers is critical for Irish agriculture to continue to grow and to prosper. I am very pleased to be speaking with you this morning for this very important event in the education calendar, the presentation of the Teagasc 2021 Student of the Year Awards sponsored by FBD."
"I would congratulate all of the finalists on their brilliant achievement. It is a proud day for them and their families to be recognised for their educational achievements. This is a dynamic and exciting sector and it is a vital part of our balanced economy and the farmers graduating today will lead us through the next generation of sustainable growth.”
Chief Executive of FBD Insurance, Tomás O Midheach, said: ”FBD Insurance plc is committed to supporting each generation of Irish farmers and is pleased to sponsor the 2022 Teagasc / FBD Student of the Year awards. These finalists are wonderful representatives for Irish agriculture and as such, we can be sure that the future of Irish farming is safe in their hands. On behalf of everyone at FBD, I would like to congratulate the finalists on their achievements and wish them all the very best in their future farming careers.”
Chairman of Teagasc, Liam Herlihy, added: “In 2021 over 3,500 students successfully completed training with Teagasc and were awarded a QQI certificate from across our colleges and regional education centres. The 18 students recognised through these awards will be the leaders in Irish agriculture in the future. I wish them well in their careers. I would also like to acknowledge the support of FBD Insurance, who have sponsored the Student of the Year Awards since their inception over three decades ago.”