Posted on Aug 17, 2021
We are excited to announce Andrea O’Halloran, an Agronomist from Hillwood Berry Farm has been crowned the 2021 Nutrien Ag Solutions Young Farmer of the Year! The annual competition is organised by Rural Youth Tasmania.
Andrea said: “It was incredibly surprising! It’s an honour to have won such a fantastic competition! I feel privileged to have made first place!”
Twelve contestants participated in the final which was held on Saturday at Quercus Park Carrick. Ten modules were completed during the day, covering everything from Biosecurity through to Farm Safety. During the presentation dinner the top six completed a general quiz and took part in an impromptu public speaking module. This was judged by the Honourable Guy Barnett MP, MVC Mayor Wayne Johnston and John Hosken, Regional Manager, Nutrien Water Tasmania.
The competition was tight, with few points separating contestants. Following Andrea were:
- Second place: Caitlin Radford
- Third place: Dylan Bellchambers
- Fourth place: Stuart Cresswell
- Fifth place: Owen Woolley
- Sixth place: Josh Mison
All contestants were pleased the event was back as the 2020 event was another casualty of the pandemic.
Rural Youth Tasmania State President, Jake Williams said ‘It was a difficult decision to cancel last year’s event. We appreciate the continuing support of our sponsors and competitors, without them we would not have been back this year’.
Second placed Caitlin Radford echoed these comments and added “It’s a great event with all the different modules that they offer. By participating you know you will always learn new skills and got to connect with like-minded people”.
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Rural Youth Tasmania are extremely grateful to our wonderful sponsors for supporting the competition and the young Tasmanians competing in what are challenging times for all. In addition to Nutrien Ag Solutions we want to acknowledge:
- Agricultural Contractors of Tasmania
- Allgoods
- GA Power Tools – Prokut
- Meander Valley Council
- Polaris Australia
- Primary Employers Tasmania
- Proskill Australia
- 26TEN
In addition to many other prizes Andrea drives away in a brand-new Polaris Ranger 500 valued at $13,995. The total prize pool was in excess of $45,000 this year.
More information about the competition contact Rural Youth Tasmania on (03) 6331 6154.