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The awards, now in their third year, have highlighted excellent ideas that rural entrepreneurs and farmers have used to set up new businesses. The JFC Innovation Awards were formally launched by three senior ministers including the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Northern Ireland, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. The overall prize fund for the competition is valued at €40,000. This includes cash prizes totaling €12,000 provided by JFC Manufacturing, advertising in the Irish Farmers’ Journal valued at €14,000, and mentoring and business support from Teagasc and DARD worth €14,000.
The categories for entries are:
- Energy / Manufacturing
- Value Added / Speciality Food
- Services / Rural Tourism
Commenting on this years awards, John Concannon, MD, JFC said “Last years entries demonstrated the enormous level of innovation and creativity that exists in the rural community. The finalists came forward with an amazing wealth of ideas across a number of diverse sectors that had strong commercial capability and we are delighted to be associated with this activity.”
Speaking at the launch Minister Brendan Smith said: “Innovation in rural Ireland and the role of the local economy in providing long term sustainable jobs has never been more important. Over the past three years, achieving in the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business has given confidence, national recognition and practical support to many new rural businesses in areas as diverse as small scale manufacturing, energy, speciality food, services and tourism. These businesses are an inspiration for the future.”
Finalists in these awards, not only benefit financially but also from mentoring, national promotion and networking. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. said; “I am delighted to see that all participants get the opportunity to meet with an expert judging panel for valuable feedback on their plans. This can only help them in their business development. I would like to encourage anyone who is exploring a new business idea in rural Ireland or has recently started trading to consider entering this exciting competition.”
Overall Winner: Ralph Haslam, Mossfield Organic Farm
“Winning the JFC Innovation awards has made a massive difference to our business. Receiving expert mentoring from Teagasc has definitely put the Mossfield brand on the map. Very few competitions award significant prize money and the €5,000 euro cash prize from JFC was a great boost. We have been features on TV, national radio and extensively in the press. The JFC Innovation Awards certainly made it happen”
The final date for receipt of entries is 5pm Friday 12th December 2008.
Entry kits are available online at www.teagasc.ie/startingyourownbusiness, from your local Teagasc office or by contacting Teagasc Athenry at 091-845200. Also available on www.jfc.ie. For Full details visit the Teagasc Website on www.teagasc.ie or email: jfc.awards@teagasc.ie
Download: JFC Innovation Awards Brochure
Download: Innovations Award Application Form
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