Westmeath Community Development

JFC, Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture & Rural Affairs NI, Comhar LEADER na Eireann and the Irish Farmers Journal have just announced the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business 2009/10.

The awards, now in their fourth year, have highlighted excellent ideas that rural entrepreneurs and farmers have used to set up new businesses. The awards offer the farming and rural community the opportunity to:

• Encourage and motivate the development of their business idea
• Feedback on their business idea from the expert judging panel
• Win up to €40,000 worth of prizes.

Entry is open to farmers and rural entrepreneurs with well thought out business ideas or with new and innovative businesses that have commenced trading in the last 5 years. The categories for entries are:

• Energy / Manufacturing
• Value Added / Speciality Food
• Services / Rural Tourism
• Startup (for those who are just developing plans and not yet trading)

Last years award was won by Glen Tender Ltd., a premium beef brand.

Closing date for entries is the 11th December 2009 at 5pm. For more information please see here