Winners in the 2009 JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business
Rural Entrepreneurs Celebrated at the Final of the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business
Direct selling of beef scooped the top award at JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business which were held in Mulingar on Tuesday March 10th. Three Northern farmers, Andy Bryan from Co Down, Ivan McMullan from Co Antrim and Harry McGaffin from Co Armagh came together to set up Glen Tender Ltd. What they had in common was their passion for beef. The trio researched beef eating quality around the world. Through this research, they spied a niche in the market for premium beef, and went about developing it by controlling all elements, literally from farm to fork. Currently, 140 customers take delivery every four weeks of beef boxes worth anything from €20 to €200 per box. Still in its infancy, in its first year of business they turned over €100,000. The three owners did all the work part time as well as working in their full time jobs. They receive a prize fund valued at €15,000.
Services/rural tourism Category Winner:
The Edwards Family, Hillsborough Farm Shop, Ramelton, LetterKenny, Co Donegal
Two farming families came together to set up the first large scale purpose built Farm Shop in the Republic. Situated on the Ramelton, Letterkenny road, it stocks eighty per cent local produce. The Beef, lamb and majority of the vegetables come from their own farm while the pigs and poultry come from neighbouring farms. It is a model on how shopping local can keep money in the local economy. They receive a prize valued at €3,000
Value added/specialty foods winner:
Nicholas and Judith Dunne, Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Killowen Yogurt
They converted an old stable house and continued with the tradition of making yogurt in churns. The aim was to become the first yogurt that has complete traceability, with the milk being produced on the same farm the yogurt is made. Turnover hit €185,000 in 2005 and has increased to over half a million in 2008. They aim to hit €2 million in five years time. As part of the expansion they are planning a range of children’s yogurts, crème fresh and cream cheeses. A major under taking is a complete repackaging and branding of Killowen to make its uniqueness stand out in the marketplace.
They receive a prize valued at €3,000
Energy/Manufacturing winner:
Michael Mc Mahon, Mc Mahon Eco Fuels, Kantoher, Co Limerick
Convinced of the business potential in eco fuels, Michael travelled the world and researched wood energy production. He became the first in the country to manufacture wood briquettes from both timber and Miscanthus. He aims to produce 4,000 tonnes this year. Michael’s plan does not stop at eco-logs. His aim was to produce a range of wood products on the large site. He already produces wood chips, which he supplies contracts to an apartment block in Kerry, a hotel and other private clients for their heating needs. A wood chip burner is being installed to dry the wood on site. The next plant being commissioned is for producing wood shavings for horse and poultry market, letting him tap into a year round market. Also in his sights is to make his own electricity through either wind or micro generation. At this stage the project is costing over €3m and employs 10 people. He hopes to employ up to 20 when we he is fully up and running. Michael receives a prize valued at €3,000
http://www.mcmahonecofuels.ie/
Young Entrepreneur award winner:
Brian Phelan, Glenfin Farm, Co. Monaghan
The business idea came to twenty five year old Brian when he couldn’t find a duck egg anywhere. So after researching the market and buying a few ducks he decided to take the plunge. He rented out a free range poultry house and bought in 650 ducklings from the UK. The clock is now ticking as the ducks will start laying in 10 weeks time. Brian is focused on developing a brand and selling his duck eggs around the country. Brian receives a JFC product voucher valued at €1,000
The JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business are organised by Teagasc, the Farmers Journal and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and carry an overall prize fund of €40,000 in the form of cash, business mentoring and promotion.
Twelve finalists selected from over ninety entries across the Island gathered in Mullingar on Tuesday , 10th of March for the presentation of the awards. In addition to the overall award there were three category winners.
Download the JFC Innovation Awards Booklet (2mb)
This award scheme highlights the best innovative rural business start-ups across all Ireland, particularly within the farming community. The objectives of the competition are to encourage new ideas from individuals living in rural areas, to help them develop business ideas into reality.
The awards are sponsored by entrepreneur - John Concannon of the JFC Group, based in Galway. In addition to the twelve finalists in the JFC Innovation Awards, the judges highly commended eight entries for their business ideas.
More Information on all 2009 finalists and highly commended -click here
1. Glenarm Estates- Adrian Morrow, Managing Director of Antrim Estates Company. Business Idea: To turn Glenarm Castle into a profitable concern and had 10,000 visitors last year alone.
2. Maurice and Judith Patton, Newtownards, Co. Down. Business Idea: The couple have started offering professional grave services which includes cleaning headstones and maintaining graves.
3. Dee’s wholesome foods- Deirdre Collins, West Cork. Business Idea: Her idea, a wholesome range of veggie burgers, has been developed and is now ready for the retail shelves.
4. John and Janet Barnet- Outdoors and Dirty, Co. Cavan. Business Idea: To develop their 30 acre farm into a high octane activity centre.
5. Fionan Russell of Forest Fuel Ltd., Slane, Co. Meath. Business Idea: Their product “Hot Logs” are the first kiln dried logs processed for sale in the country.
6. John Foley and Trevor Flynn, Kilcummin, Killarney. Business idea: New design for a land leveller that could allow fields to be just ploughed and then levelled before reseeding.
7. Arlene Robertson and Richard Duggan- Lurgaboy Adventure Centre, Armagh. Business Idea: To develop an activity centre with a difference, including the longest free-fall ropes in Ireland.
8. Noel Kelleher, Macroom, Co. Cork. Business Idea: Noel supplies chips for heating systems and has won the contract to supply Macroom’s Business Eco Park with wood chip.
More information on the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business - click here
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
