Limerick students give presentations on female farmers and regenerative practices

THERE was plenty of meaty debate at this month’s Limerick IFA meeting thanks to secondary school students.

Local schools who participated in the finals of the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition in Croke Park, were invited to give presentations.

Students from Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ and John the Baptist Community School, Hospital gave a talk on their projects. The Villiers School team was unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Sean Lavery, Limerick IFA chair, said the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition is a great news story for Irish agriculture and a great learning experience for the participants.

Limerick paves the way for zero emission public transport with multi-million euro contract

“The competition complements the Agricultural Science subject in the Leaving Certificate, but it also exposes the team to the workings of the food industry, shows the care and attention required to produce quality beef, informs the team of possible careers in the food industry.

“What was obvious on the night was the confident delivery by both teams of their projects. Both teams were able to demonstrate problem-solving, presentation skills and public speaking. There is no doubt that the skills learned will stand to all throughout their careers,” said Mr Lavery.

The Hospital school’s project focused on the next generation of farmers, especially female farmers. They addressed issues like the low level of female farm ownership and some solutions like targeted incentives to address this imbalance.

Laurel Hill’s project highlighted how regenerative farming practices could work for very many Irish farmers to help produce Irish Angus beef while helping the environment at the same time.

“None of these projects would have happened without the support of the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group and sponsors ABP and Kepak along with the schools and their teachers, Deirdre Condon-Gaffney of Laurel Hill and Jennifer Ahern of John the Baptist Community School. The support of parents was also very important.

“The quality of both presentations was a positive message for Limerick and Irish farmers and was great to hear especially with so much negative commentary on farming in general recently,” said Mr Lavery.