Hugh Massy from Rathkeale has been awarded the Salesian Agricultural College Best Farm Business Plan Award sponsored by Allied Irish Bank.
Currently in the final year of his Advanced Certificate in Dry Course, Hugh received the highest grade for his interview and farm business plan which focused on progressively increasing his dairy herd and upgrading existing farm buildings and infrastructure.
Impressed with quality
Diarmuid Donnellan, AIB agri adviser, announcing the award winner said, “AIB are delighted to again partner with Salesian Agricultural College for the AIB/Teagasc Best Farm Business Plan Awards. The initiative places a strong emphasis on farm planning and financial planning, both key skills necessary for effective management, particularly in today’s environment. We have been very impressed by the quality and standard of farm plans and by the confidence of the students we met and interviewed here in Salesian Agricultural College.”
Student opportunity
Speaking on behalf of Salesian Agricultural College, Principal Derek O’Donoghue added, “We are delighted to be involved with AIB in this annual competition which acknowledges and rewards the student presenting the Best Farm Business Plan. The involvement of AIB in the judging gives students the opportunity to engage with the face of banking, make the personal connections and learn what the banks expectations are in a formal process but, yet, a very much informal setting. “
Hugh will now represent Salesian Agricultural College and compete against students from Greenmount Agricultural College and respective Teagasc and private agricultural colleges for a €1,000 bursary and the 2017 AIB All Ireland Best Farm Business Plan Award this Friday, June 30th.