Finalists in the 2009 JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business Announced
The All Ireland finalists for the 2009 “JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business” have been announced and we extend our congratulations to them. This year we had in excess of ninety entries with a superb standard. Judging involved meeting and interviewing all eligible applicants in Naas, Mallow, Killorglin, Athenry, Belfast and Enniskillen.
The finale awards event will take place on Tuesday March 10th 2009 at the Mullingar Park Hotel, where category winners and the overall winner will be announced. Such was the standard the judges also selected a number of “Highly Commended” who will share in a prize fund consisting of advertising and mentoring. The overall winner will receive a prize valued at €15,000 consisting of equal amounts of cash, advertising and business mentoring.
More information on the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business - click here
Energy / Manufacturing Category Finalists
Co. Limerick
Michael Mc Mahon, McMahon Eco Fuels
A west limerick man has brought the business of renewable energy to reality with McMahon Eco fuels. The business manufactures and distributes wood briquettes, wood chips which he supplies to an apartment block in Kerry, a hotel, and other private clients for their heating needs. The next phase being commissioned is for producing wood shavings for the horse and poultry markets. He also has plans for a wood pellet making plant and hopes to generate his own electricity through wind. At this stage the project employs 10 people. He hopes to employ up to 20 when we he is fully up and running.
http://www.mcmahonecofuels.ie/
Co. Tyrone
Andrew Baxter, Sperrin Engineering,
A Tyrone farmer with engineering skills has created a range of innovative waste solutions for farmers which separate the solids from the water, thereby reducing waste storage requirements for farmers. He has also discovered that the devices have wider application in places such as water treatment plants.
Value Added / Specialty Food Category Finalists
Co. Antrim
Ivan Mc Mullan, Harry Mc Gaffin, and Andy Bryan - Glen Tender
Three farmers from Co. Antrim have partnered together and set up GlenTender. They have set about creating a leading brand of specialist Northern Irish bred beef. The beef is matured for 21 days and is recognised for its taste and tenderness. They have already received two gold stars at the Great Taste Awards for their beef. They sell their beef direct to consumers through their farm shop, box schemes, online and through restaurants.
Co. Meath
Kieran & Jane Cassidy – Kilbeg Dairy Delights
Starting out with a family cheesecake recipe and a desire to produce a high-quality milk product, the range now produced by Jane and Kieran from Co. Meath includes Quark Cheese, Buttermilk, Smoothies, as well as those cheesecakes.
Co. Wexford
Judith & Nicholas Dunne, Killowen Yoghurt
A farming couple from Wexford are planning to become household names in yoghurt. Their ambitious plans are reaching fruition and their yoghurt is now part of the Superquinn -SQ Superior Quality range, which is aimed at providing a top range of products for foodies.
Co. Down
Jane Hartnett –Harnett Hemp Oil
A young lady in Co.Down inspired by her father who grows hemp and processes and sells the oil for chainsaws has begun to process it herself and sell as a healthy oil for human consumption.
Co. Galway
Maureen Foley and Jenny Griffin, Sweetie Pies
Two able ladies from Dublin moved West to Galway and started making delicious cakes and buns from their kitchen - business took off and they had to expand into the utility room, then the garage and have now taken a giant leap, moved out and opened a "Tea Room" in Athenry, they also continue to supply local shops and are knocking Cuisine de France off the shelves - literally. They have very ambitious plans for expansion.
http://sweetiepiesofgalway.com/
Co. Kerry
Joe and Caroline Daly, Valentia Island Bottled Milk
On Valentia Island, one farmer reckoned that people would like milk the old fashioned way - fresh in bottles with the cream on top. -The milk is pasteurised but not homogenised and already people are loving their milk direct from the farmer they know. - It's a trend that could catch on..
Services / Rural Tourism Category Finalists
Co. Armagh
Patrick Hughes, Glenvale Waste
When one day, Patrick Hughes had to call in the professionals to his dairy farm to unblock a drain and paid a ridiculous price, he got so mad he decided to set up his own drain cleaning business. Today, his business is well on the way with a number of public and private contracts.
Co. Kerry
Stephen and Francis O Sullivan, Molly Gallivans
A former plumbing contractor from Kerry who has set up a heritage cottage with American wakes, turf cutting and archealogical trails on a little farm he bought on the ring of Kerry-during the good times.
http://www.mollygallivans.com/
Donegal
The Edwards Family, Hillsborogh Farm Shop
Fed up with seeing produce from far and wide in their local shops, Two Donegal farming families decided to do something about it. They invested heavily and purchased a site near the busy Ramelton-Letterkenny road where they have built a substantial 4,000sq feet purpose built Farm Shop. In it they sell a full range of local produce including their potatoes, vegetables and beef. Only open since last September - business has being thriving, providing full employment for the family and really proving that this business model can work.
Co. Limerick and Co. Clare
Michael and Donall O Connor, PedigreeCattle.ie,
Fresh from success on Dragons Den, Michael and Donall O Connor have a passion for pedigree cattle, they realised the general frustration and difficulty with sourcing pedigree cattle. Many breeders were also struggling to maintain their own websites. They have set up a one stop shop for pedigree cattle targetting both Irish and UK breeders. Famers can now register their own pedigree cattle for sale or simply go online to look at other farmers cattle for sale.
Highly Commended
Co. Cavan
John & Janet Bennett , Outdoors and Dirty
John & Janet Bennett have developed a premier outdoor action attraction with hovercrafts, laser pigeon shooting, mud buggies and dragsters.
Co. Cork
Deirdre Collins, Veg-e-que
Whole Food Burgers - with no meat!
Deirdre started by making her Vegi burgers part time while a legal secretary, gave up her job a year ago and began selling at the farmers markets. She now has leased a full commercial kitchen to produce a range of healthy organic range of vegi burgers.
Co. Armagh
Richard Dougan, Arlene Robertson, Lurgaboy Adventure Centre
Richard Dougan after scaling Mount Everest has set up his own Adventure Centre on the farm. The activity farm boasts Ireland's LONGEST Zip Line and High level Ropes Course.
Co. Cork
Noel Kelleher, Biokel
Farmer and agricultural contractor Noel Kelleher has diversified further and invested in a wood chipper. He has already started securing contracts to supply wood chips to businesses in Mallow's eco park
Co. Down
Maurice and Judith Patton, Grave Concern
A simple but innovative service maintaining graves. - Maurice is ambitious to expand the service nationwide and believes that people will pay in advance for their grave maintainance.
http://www.graveconcernireland.com/index.asp
Co. Kerry
John Foley & Trevor Flynn
John Flynn and Trevor Flynn have developed a new type of land leveler which they believe is the best and has the potential to provide a solution to simpler reseeding on Kerry soils.
Co. Meath
Fionán Russell, Hotlogs
Going nationwide with his Kiln dried hard wood is Fionan Russel from Meath. His "Hot Logs" from Irish hard wood trees are proving to be a popular choice.
Co. Monaghan / Laois
Brian Phelan, Glenfin Farm
Twenty five year old Brian Phelan studied property in UL and works in the property management business in Monaghan. Although from Laois, this hasn't stopped the young entrepeneur who has an unusual passion, he spotted a market for duck eggs and he travelled to the UK to work on a duck farm to learn the basic skills required. He has now rented land and buildings in Monaghan and has stocked up with almost 700 ducks. This is one market Brian is determined to crack!
Co. Antrim
Adrian Morrow, Glenarm Castle
Glenarm Castle is one of Northern Ireland’s oldest estates. Glenarm Castle have developed a range of unique events including a Tulip festival in its historic Walled Garden and Highland games.
For more information on any of this years All Ireland Finalists and Highly Commended, please contact Paul Mc Carthy, Teagasc Rural Business Specialist at 091-845200 or email. paul.mccarthy@teagasc.ie
Date page updated - 18/02/2010
