RDS accolades for two Offaly food companies

Minister Pippa Hackett has expressed her delight at seeing Laois and Offaly represented at RDS Spring Agriculture & Forestry Awards.

Minister Pippa Hackett presented awards to finalists at this year’s RDS Spring Agriculture & Forestry Awards. Among them were Laois and Offaly enterprises, Bia Sol, Fiorbhia Farm and Feighery’s Farm Beetroot Juice.

Speaking following the award ceremony which took place in the RDS on Wednesday 7th June, Minister Hackett said “It was my pleasure to present awards to the winners and finalists of a variety of farming and forestry categories but it was to my delight that one of them was based in Laois and two in Offaly.”

Tullamore-based BiaSol won the 2023 RDS Sustainable Rural Innovation Award.

Minister Hackett said “BiaSol’s collaboration with Irish craft breweries to collect spent grain prevents it from going to landfill where it would emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas.”

Those attending the ceremony were told that BiaSol uses an innovative process to transform spent grain into nutritious and flavoursome food products for the food service industry and for retail.

A special commendation award for Sustainable Farming went to Brendan Guinan of Fiorbhia Farm, in Laois.

Minister Hackett, who has visited Fiorbhia, said: “Brendan's farm stands out for its innovative approach, combining traditional farming methods with the latest technology. The farm utilises animals to clear vegetation, build organic matter, and produce nutrient-dense meats and eggs.

"By hand-thinning the forest, Fiorbhia Farm has created a balance of shelter and sunlight, benefiting both animals and enhancing forage regeneration.”

A special commendation award for Sustainable Agri Start-Up went to Anne Marie Feighery of Feighery’s Farm Beetroot Juice, in Kilcormac, Co Offaly.

“I know Feighery's Farm Beetroot Juice to be an award-winning, family-oriented business. I also know it is delicious and Anne Marie’s amazing work is very worthy of special commendation as a sustainable start-up. I wish all award winners the very best for a sustainable future and thank them for leading the way,” she ended.