NEWBIE Competition Eligibility Criteria

New Entrant to Agriculture Award 2022 - Terms & Conditions

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to individuals or groups who have started or become involved in a farm business operating an agricultural holding since 2016.
• The business model must have been in place for one or more years (i.e. there must be evidence of the ‘success’ of the business model).
• All farmer’s above 18 years of age are eligible to apply.
• The business should be primarily located on a farm.
• Can be a whole farm approach or new business activity within an existing farm operation (as long as this activity is owned by the new entrant).
• The new entrant must be the person running the farm/farm business.
• Further evidence may be sought from the shortlisted applicants to demonstrate financial viability if deemed necessary by the judging panel.
• The winners will have the opportunity to host a farm event on the property on which they are basing this entry, to showcase their business if they so desire.
• New entrants should be aware that information provided may be made public and that it’s the entrant’s responsibility to ensure their practices & farms comply with all legal requirements including but not limited to: environment, employment, animal welfare, health & safety and other regulations.
• Previous unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must submit an online application by the closing date of 12 midnight on Sunday 9 October 2022

Evaluation criteria

• Novelty/originality of the product, market or service
• Apparent profitability and other societal impacts
• How well does the new entrant overcome the key barriers to new entrants e.g. access to land, labour, markets, finance
• Replicability of the business model by other new entrants

Evaluation process

• Applicants must submit a completed on line application form by the deadline (Sunday 9 October 2022) – videos etc. are welcome but are not required
• Applicants will be shortlisted by Newbie Steering Group members
• Newbie Steering Group member(s) will visit the shortlisted applicants to further assess the application
• Alternative means of evaluation may be adopted by the judging panel where necessary to conform to public health guidelines.
• All applications will be judged by a selected group from the Newbie Steering Group members and a team of judges will visit the shortlisted candidates to determine a winner.

Awards

• €1,000 Cash prize kindly sponsored by Allied Irish Bank
• Mentoring programme (value of €1,000) kindly provided by Enterprise Ireland
• Production of a promotional farm video
• A plaque for display on-farm
• Award winners will be showcased on the Newbie web-site and in the National farming press.