JFC INNOVATION AWARDS FOR RURAL BUSINESS 2010 - THE SEARCH IS ON

Have you an idea for a new rural business or have you recently started one? If the answer is yes, then read on.

Tougher times, lower commodity prices and fewer off-farm jobs are forcing everyone to look at their own skills and the resources they have around them to come up with new ways of making money. Setting up a new business is one of the options that many people are now looking at seriously. If you have an idea for a new rural business or have recently started trading then you should think about entering the 2010 JFC Awards for Rural Business.

The 2010 Awards was launched at the Co Antrim farm of Ivan McMullan, a Director of Glen Tender Ltd, overall winner of the 2009 JFC Awards. Speaking at the launch, John Concannon, Managing Director, JFC said: “Innovation has never been needed more than in the current climate. Developing new ideas and creating new business will be the stepping stone for many that will lead to a better future.”

Ivan McMullan of Glen Tender said: “The generous cash prize from JFC could not have come at a better time and the mentoring from DARD really focused us to plan where we want to go with the business. We found the whole experience so worthwhile and rewarding and would recommend entering to any rural start up”

The JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business is an all-Ireland competition sponsored by JFC Manufacturing and is run in association with DARD. Teagasc, Comhar Leader na hEireann and the Irish Farmers Journal. The aim of the competition is help rural entrepreneurs to turn their business idea into reality. The judges are looking for innovative businesses that have not yet been established or are in the early stages of trading.

The total prize fund is valued at €40,000. This comes in the form of cash, mentoring and advertising in the Irish Farmers Journal. The overall winner will walk away with a top prize valued at €15,000. Category winners will receive a prize fund worth €3000, while category finalists will win a prize fund of €1500 each. This year there are four categories: Energy/Manufacturing; Value added/Speciality Food; Services/Rural Tourism; Start up (not yet trading).

The final date for receipt of completed entries is 5pm Friday 11 December 2009. Entry packs can be obtained from DARD offices, online at http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-rural-development/jfc_innovation_awards_for_rural_business_2010.htm  or by phoning 028 9052 4591.