Kelly awarded bursary for dream farming role
A student from Ramsgrange has been awarded the Glanbia/ASA/IFJ Placement Bursary meaning she will have a blog featured in the Farmer’s Journal.
The second year student is studying BSc in Agriculture at WIT. She is a daughter of Shommie and Fiona Duffin from Kilhile and is a past pupil of Ramsgrange Community School.
Kelly was one of a number of Agriculture and Agricultural Science students at WIT who impressed at an industry panel at the recent interviews for an annual placement bursary.
Each year the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) teams up with the Irish Farmers Journal, Glanbia and Seedtech to provide placement bursaries to students in the BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science and BSc in Agriculture to support costs associated with farm/industrial placement.
‘I applied for the ASA/Glanbia Farm Placement Bursary as I feel the experiences I will gain from both working on a dairy farm and writing my blog for the Farmer’s Journal during my work placement will be extremely beneficial to my future career,’ Kelly said.
Kelly said she is enjoying the Agriculture course at WIT because it entails both theory and practicals. ‘The theory is taught through lectures which give the vital information needed to run a successful farm business and the knowledge I will need to get a job in the agricultural business sector while also getting the opportunity to put what I have learned into practice during our practical classes which are held in Kildalton College.’
Her dreams for the future are to become a college lecturer teaching agriculture to students. She is going to complete the Level 8 Land Management in Agriculture course in WIT after her level 7 BSc in Agriculture.
Kelly is looking forward to assisting farmers and students with her knowledge which she has learned from both college and her own personal experiences and research.
‘I am really looking forward to gaining experience working in the dairy sector during her farm placement.’
She is keen to gain new skills in this growing industry. Kelly’s father runs a beef finishing farm and Kelly’s plan after placement is to buy calves and rear them on her home farm after seeing how calves are reared during her work experience.
Programme leaders Dr Michael Breen and Dr Tony Woodcock, thanked all of the interviewers for giving their time and expertise so generously. ‘Placement is an integral part of the ag science/agriculture programmes here in WIT and it is great to have the continued support of our industry stakeholders in awarding the placement bursaries,’ Dr Woodcock said.
Dr Breen added that the interviewers were very impressed with the broad knowledge of the agri food sector that the students displayed as well as their eagerness to learn from their forthcoming placement.’
Tintern Woods trails was the fourth busiest Coillte forest for walkers nationally last year.
Figures released by Coillte, reveals there were 11,261 visits to the woods in December compared to 8,465 the previous February, marking a 33 per cent increase.
Coillte recorded a massive increase in visits to its forests throughout 2020, as people sought out safe, outdoor pursuits to break the monotony of home life. Visits to some of its most popular recreational forests have doubled to tripled since lockdown began last year, depending on location.
Some forests like the Dublin Mountains, Rossmore in Monaghan and Donadea in Kildare experienced doubling or tripling of visitor numbers.
The Dublin Mountains (of which Ticknock Forest accounts for the majority) is the most visited, followed by Rossmore Forest Park and Donadea Forest Park.
‘We’re delighted so many people are using their local forests more during this difficult and prolonged Covid lockdown,’ Imelda Hurley, Coillte’s CEO said. ‘Healthy forests are not only beautiful to look at but provide a much needed physical and mental wellness boost. It’s widely agreed fresh air and green outside spaces enhance people’s mood, happiness and overall health. This is particularly important right now,
‘We’re glad people’s local forests are a healthy and positive outlet for them. We simply ask that Covid-19 restrictions be adhered to when visiting.’
There were 42,500 visits to the woods between June and early August.
AS a child Maurice Allen used to go the Ploughing Championships with his family every year, an annual tradition which instilled in him a love of all things farm-related.
So, when he received a present of a digital camera it was only natural that the first thing he would photograph was some of the local agriculture. Thus began a hobby which has since morphed into a potential career.
‘I have always loved machinery so when I received my first camera as a present, I thought I would give photography a go,’ says Maurice (25). ‘ It really all started with the New Ross Bypass and Enniscorthy Motorway in 2017, I did a project on that and really loved it.’
The Courtown native is currently in his final year of a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in Harper Adams University in Shropshire, but when he’s not stuck in the books he’s taking pictures of some of Ireland’s most notable tillage farmers and contractors.
He has worked Cooney-Furlong, Alfie Byrne, Kinsella’s of Allenwood and Curracloe Farms using his natural talent to capture Irish agriculture at its very best.
‘My skills with the camera have all been learnt through trial and error, it’s self taught, and perhaps after my studies I can dedicate a year to it,’ Maurice said.
The purchase of a second-hand drone last year has, Maurice says, brought his work to another level and enabled him to capture video footage of farmers cultivating and sowing.
While growing his followers on social media, Maurice, the previous 12 months have proved extremely difficult for a college academic attending university overseas.
With fluctuating restrictions and changing recommendations on travel in particular, the agricultural student is currently committed to his studies at home in North Wexford.
Contracts with machinery brands and perhaps advertisements for certain agricultural products may be on the cards but for now, the final year student is mastering his skills and honing in on the resources around him.
‘ This year, I hope to get the full drilling to harvest season of Cooney-Furlong, a full season of growth would be fantastic on video,’ Maurice said. ‘I know every back road in Wexford, there are lovely places around. I hope to film in different parts of Ireland this year if possible and begin framing. I currently out-source the framing of photographs and see great potential in doing this in-house.’
You can see more of Maurice’s work on Facebook and Instagram @mauriceallenphotography