The JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business was held in Mullingar last night, Tuesday 10 March 2009. The Awards are organised by Teagasc, the Irish Farmers’ Journal and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and carry an overall prize fund of €40,000 in the form of cash, business mentoring and promotion. The awards are sponsored by entrepreneur John Concannon of the JFC Group, based in Galway.
The top award was won by three northern farmers, Andy Bryan from County Down, Ivan McMullan, County Antrim and Harry McGaffin, County Armagh who came together to set up Glen Tender Ltd, a premium beef brand. In 2007 the three local farmers established Glen Tender Ltd and set about creating a leading brand of specialist Northern Ireland bred Aberdeen Angus beef under the Glen Tender brand. The beef is matured for 21 days and is recognised for its taste and tenderness. They have already received two gold stars for their beef at the Great Taste Awards. They sell their beef direct to consumers through their farm shop, box schemes, online and through restaurants.
Speaking at the awards ceremony Teagasc Director Professor Gerry Boyle said: “If there was ever a time for self-help, it is now. Upwards of 75 per cent of the Teagasc farmer client base had an off-farm income in 2007. I am delighted tonight to announce the setting up of a new Rural Development and Innovation Service within Teagasc. The service will focus on whole farm appraisal and central to this will be the possibility of small business start-up. These awards tonight give courage and guidance to us all in pursuing this task.”
Also speaking at the Awards cermony, Minister Michelle Gilgernew, from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Nothern Ireland, said “This competition is all about encouraging and providing tangible support for innovation in the countryside. There is no doubt about the need for rural dwellers to continue, as they have in the past, to investigate different ways of using their resources. Whether it is their land, buildings, expertise or farm produce – they continue to work towards securing a sustainable future for their families and the wider rural community.”
Twelve finalists were selected from over 90 entries across the island and in addition to the overall award there were three category winners together with a special award for Young Entrepreneur. [Read more here]
To view a profile of all finalists click here (pdf document).