Tipp pupil voted farm safe regional champion for Munster

Grange National School is celebrating today after David Long was named the Agri Aware Farm Safe Schools regional champion for Munster.

David Long, a Fourth Class pupil in Grange National School, Clonmel was chosen after his brilliant contribution to the project where he designed a tractor in Minecraft.

Champions are selected from each region and awarded a certificate of achievement and a family pass to Dublin Zoo, kindly sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

These champions are those children who are demonstrating excellence, innovation and commitment to improving farm safety awareness.

Agri Aware Farm Safe Schools coordinator and AgriKids founder, Alma Jordan explained what made David stand out from the crowd.

“We received a huge volume of entries for the Regional Awards and it proves the ability and capability of our children to change the culture around farm safety. David’s nomination showed he has a passion for farming.

“When it was announced that his school was taking part in the programme, David’s teacher told us that he arrived in the next morning with a farming book eager to share his expertise with the class.

“He has helped his classmates and teacher throughout the programme by sharing his knowledge and recently showed them the dangers associated with the PTO and slurry fumes using the interactive whiteboard.

“In a recent project for Minecraft in Education, David explored sustainable farming and designed a 'hybrid' tractor, along with sowing sustainable crops and a milking parlour.

“His willingness to share on the topic of farm safety is tremendous, this is exactly what Farm Safe Schools is all about.”

Farm Safe Schools is a joint collaboration between Agri Aware, AgriKids, the IFA and is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Agri Aware Chairman, Alan Jagoe expressed his delight to all the regional winners.

“The Farm Safe Schools programme sets out to create learning and understanding on the topic of farm safety to younger children. These regional award winners are a testament to the talent, tenacity and potential our children have in creating a safer future on Irish farms. I want to thank their teachers for bringing the programme into the classrooms and for recognising the champions in their class’.

I would like to thank the Department of Agriculture and Minister Martin Heydon, for their support of this dedicated farm safety programme,” added Mr Jagoe.

The full list of winners are:

Leinster: Ruby Boland, Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh, Naas, Co. Kildare

Munster: David Long, Grange National School, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Ulster: Ben Lynch, Mullahoran National School, Co Cavan

Connacht: Conor O’Grady, Kiltormer National School, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.