Waterford discussion group win big at the Better Farming Awards

Waterford brought home silverware as they were announced winners of the Cormac Tagging Community/Discussion Group Incentive Scheme at the inaugural Better Farming Awards on Thursday night in the Heritage Hotel in Killenard. The black-tie event was hosted by former minister and broadcaster, Ivan Yates while guests Minister of State, Michael Heydon and Professor, Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc also attended.

The group comprises 14 farmer members whose sheep graze over 4,000 hectares of the Comeragh Mountains, across six commonages and four upland farms. As part of their submission, the group outlined how they educate themselves on their upland resources. Against this background, they developed the project to develop and evaluate an upland education module for upland farmers to devise mechanisms for sharing the area's natural and cultural heritage with the broader community.

The Cormac Tagging Community/Discussion Group Incentive Scheme recognises an incentive scheme by a community or organised collection of individuals that promotes or incentivises social buy-in to better farming practices or agricultural environmental initiatives.

20 awards were presented on the night celebrating the highest levels of achievement made in the industry’s move towards a more sustainable sector.