Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 12:13pm

Top young farmers win Vaughan travel awards

by Editorial Department

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The top young farmers in Fermanagh are off on study tours this year, thanks to sponsorship from the Vaughan Trust.

Three young people who have made a major contribution to the YFCU in the county through their skills in competitions, have each won a travel award up to the value of £500. The award is being made to the top male "Young Farmer of the Year," Trevor Wilson from Lisbellaw YFC while the top female "Young Farmer of the Year" award goes to Zara Stubbs from Kesh YFC.

Another Kesh YFC member, Beverley Henderson, has received a travel award for gaining the highest marks in all competitions. All three will write a report for the Vaughan Trust on their return.

The Club efficiency awards were also presented on Friday night. The winners of the club award were Lisbellaw YFC.

The awards were made at the annual Fermanagh YFCU County Committee dinner in the Lough Erne Hotel, Kesh on Friday evening, attended by representatives from clubs across the county.

The speaker at the county dinner was Mr. John Sands from DARD who works with farmers involved in diversification projects.

He spoke of his life in farming and work, how after attending college he took a job milking cows in Saudi Arabia for a short time. On his return, he completed a diploma in communications and then was employed by DARD, being appointed to Enniskillen College. He spent 10 years there and also as manager of Castle Archdale Research Farm. He moved to Armagh as a Rural Advisor and also started back into farming as well.

His advice to the YFC members was not to miss any opportunity that life throws up especially in their youth, work hard and enjoy the time of as well. He encouraged as many as possible to travel as much as they could and get to meet other people. He told them to stay by their family throughout all that happens and to go for the opportunities.

Other guests at the dinner were representatives of Macra na Feirme including David McDonagh from Sligo and Vincent Roddy, Macra Training officer. The two youth organisations work together on cross-border projects.

An anniversary cake was cut to mark the YFCU's 80th. year.