The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
The new smart agriculture and rural enterprise awards scheme, in partnership with the RDS, has been launched. The scheme is designed to recognise the success, tenacity and dedication of the Irish agriculture and rural sector as a key contributor to the Irish economy.
The Talamh Awards are structured around key areas of Irish agriculture and rural enterprise, with a particular focus on sustainability – environmental sustainability, commercial sustainability and community sustainability. Categories range from sustainable farming to emerging business, innovation and technology, and agri-tourism. Open to agricultural businesses and rural enterprises of all sizes across the island of Ireland, entrants must demonstrate excellence and a commitment to innovation and development that furthers the interests of agriculture and rural enterprise at large.
Winners will be selected by a panel of agricultural and rural enterprise experts, among them Doirín Graham, CEO of Clare Local Development Company. Each entry will be judged on merit, regardless of company size.
Michael Duffy, RDS chief executive, said, “There is a rich tradition of supporting excellence in agriculture in the RDS. It was one of our founding aims when the RDS first started in 1731, which we continue through to today with our work in agriculture. We are delighted to support this event and glad that our long-standing credentials in supporting best-in-class farming will help support the Talamh Awards.”
On Friday, October 12, the winners of the inaugural Talamh Award will be announced at a Gala Dinner in the RDS. Each winner will be presented with a unique, handcrafted trophy designed by renowned silversmith, Eimear Conyard, who is manager of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s prestigious Jewellery and Goldsmithing course in Thomastown, County Kilkenny.
The Talamh Awards are free to enter and online entry is open from now until July 17 at talamhawards.ie.
