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- THE search is on for the tidiest farms in the
West! For the Western People in association with the ACC
Bank, Ballina and the IFA launched the Western Farm
Homestead Awards in Bartra House, Ballina
last Thursday night.
-
- By Emma Connolly
-
- It has been hailed as a
- prestigious competition open to all farm families.
With a prize of £2,000 for the taking this is a
great incentive to get the painting and power washing
underway.
- "It is an attractive
- competition, one that should appeal to the farming
community with the tangible objective of making their
farms more visually pleasing," said Dr. Tom Moffatt,
Minister of State when he launched the awards.
- "This is something on a parallel in the rural
districts and the desire is to encourage farmers focus on
improving their homes, buildings and general homesteads.
First impressions are lasting ones and it is uplifting to
drive into a homestead that is tidy and well presented.
We have the scenic splendour here in the West, a painting
around every corner, rivers and lakes against the
backdrop of mountains but some areas are spoiled by drab,
grey houses, rusted outbuildings, plastic and general
litter. All this could be improved with a little effort
and that is why I welcome this initiative in the form of
the Western Farm Homestead Awards," said Dr. Moffatt.
- "Farming is dear to all of us, that is where most
of us grew up and it important that we keep a foothold on
the land," said Mr. Terry Reilly, Editor and Managing
Director of the Western People.
- "A good farmstead will always survive but at the
present point that needs to be nurtured. We will work to
see that these awards succeed as they are essential to
all of us and our way of life."
- The importance of protecting the environment was
stressed at the launch by Sean Clarke, Chairman of the
IFA as he mentioned a recent trip he made to Austria
where the government are making a huge effort to maintain
the rural fabric of the country.
- "Our future will depend on how we manage our farms
in an environmentally friendly way. We are on a winner if
we can do that," he said.
- "Our motto is to try and focus farmers to become
more environmentally conscious - a tin of paint can go a
long way," said Roy O'Brien, Regional Development
Officer, IFA, Athenry.
- The issue of obtaining Objective 1 status for the
West was also discussed. "In Ireland we are facing a
change in how we get our income from farming. It is
important that we get the top strands in Objective 1
status so industries will come to the locality as part
time farming is going to play a major role in peoples
income in the future," Mr. Clarke said,
- Mr. Michael Ring, T.D. complimented the Western
People, in particular Western People Grassroots Farming
correspondent Aidan McNulty for what he described as a
"wonderful idea" and one that will have great benefits
for agri-tourism. He promised that the issue of objective
one
- status would be on the agenda at his next party's
meeting. "I will be putting pressure on my party as it is
vital for the future that we secure objective one
status," he said.
- "The idea was always that a tidy farm was a good
farm. Our prosperity depends on their prosperity and our
roots are very firmly based in rural Ireland," said Mr.
Noel O'Dowd, Manager of ACC, Ballina,
- "It's the participation that's
- important not the winning."
- "There is a perception that farmers are always
whinging, but these awards will reward them for their
genuine graft," said co-ordinator Aidan McNulty.
- An entry form is published in this week's Western
People or they can be obtained from the I.F.A and A.C.C.
Offices. Entries are to arrive to the Western People
office, Ballina before July 3.
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