The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is delighted to announce that Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle, has been awarded first place in the UFU’s post-primary school agriculture competition, with The Royal School, Armagh, securing second place. The competition was designed to challenge pupils to consider how family farms in Northern Ireland can become more viable and sustainable, ensuring a thriving future for the next generation.
Following the event, UFU deputy president John McLenaghan said, “I would like to give a big thanks to all schools for taking part in the UFU’s post-primary school agriculture competition, and I want to commend the schools that made it to the final, which took place on Wednesday in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown.
“It was a really difficult task for us judges, and that’s a sign of the calibre, originality, and thought that the pupils displayed, showcasing their ability to intensively plan ways to make a case study more financially viable and sustainable in the future. Congratulations to Cross and Passion College and The Royal School Armagh, who placed first and second in this highly competitive cohort of finalists.
“Pupils really dived into the challenge, highlighting their knowledge across a range of agricultural topic areas while working as a tight-knit team. It was encouraging to see them recognising the significant changes that lie ahead, and despite the challenges happening beyond the farm gate, pupils shared creative ideas on how farms could adapt; from developing alternative revenue streams and diversifying through initiatives such as seaweed baths and glamping pods to to selling produce directly from the farm to utilising natural resources, and embracing new technologies,” said the deputy president.
“We hope that the pupils who took part in this year’s competition gained a deeper understanding of business management, efficiency, and sustainable farming practices. We also look forward to seeing them pursue careers in the farming industry in the future, as the sector needs intelligent, motivated, and ambitious individuals, all qualities displayed by the students during this competition.”
