Latest news with #KateCurran
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Teagasc award winner 'trying to do what's good for nature'
Waterford dairy farmer Kate Curran has been announced as the overall winner of the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year 2024 award. The awards were presented to the top graduates of Teagasc Level-6 agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry training programmes for last year. According to Teagasc Chairman Liam Herlihy, these sectors "need a constant flow of new entrants, bringing knowledge of the latest technologies and science onto farms". Ms Curran completed the Level-6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming (Distance Education) at the Teagasc Kildalton College in Piltown, County Kilkenny. She farms with her husband and his family in Kilmagemogue, Portlaw, where they milk 198 cows, and where there is a strong focus on sustainability. Following her win, the Waterford woman said she is going to stay farming and will do so "in the most sustainable way we can". Speaking to Agriland she added: "We'll work together to help out for the environment as well. We're always trying to do what's good for nature, be a sustainable farm, and be a profitable farm as well."
Agriland
22-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Watch: ‘It's a great way of life' – FBD Teagasc Student of the Year
The new 2024 Teagasc FBD Student of the Year, Kate Curran, has said that farming is a 'great way of life' after receiving the award in Dublin today (May 22). Curran, a dairy farmer with 198 cattle in Kilmagemogue, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, completed the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming (Distance Education) at the Teagasc Kildalton College in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. 2024 Teagasc FBD Student of the Year, Kate Curran In addition to winning the overall award, she was also successful in the Part-Time and Distance Education category award. Speaking at the event, Curran told Agriland that winning both awards was 'mind blowing'. She said: 'I still can't believe it. Coming along here today, I could see the list of the finalists, everyone inside is a winner. To be amongst that calibre of people, I thought it was lovely to even be a finalist. 'I'm slowly starting to say to myself, 'Kate you need to believe in yourself, you are as good as them'. 'I always put other people first, I never put myself first. This is lovely, it's a great honour to win this award,' she added. Going forward, Curran said that she is going to continue to work on the farm, with a focus on sustainability. 'I'm going to stay farming, we're milking cows at home. We're going to stay farming in the most sustainable and profitable way that we can,' Curran explained. 'We'll work together to help out for the environment as well. We're always trying to do what's good for nature, be a sustainable farm, and be a profitable farm as well,' she added. The Waterford farmer said she loves farming, and believes that it is a 'great way of life'. She said: 'I love it. It's not like a day's work. You get up and you just go out onto the farm. Every day is different, it's brilliant. It's a great way of life.' Student of the Year awards The student of the year awards were presented to the top graduates of the Teagasc level 6 agriculture, horticulture, equine, and forestry training programmes in 2024 by Teagasc chairperson, Liam Herlihy. At the event, Thomas O'Connor from Caherbreagh, Tralee, Co. Kerry was presented with Full-Time Agriculture category award. Niamh Duggan, from Ballinagranna, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary was also awarded the Full-Time Other Land-Based Enterprises category award.
