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Gildernew presents Greenmount students with their awards

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has presented the awards and congratulated the students at the recent Annual Awards ceremony at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus.

This year 330 students graduated from courses in agriculture, agricultural engineering, horticulture and rural and countryside management.

Speaking at the ceremony the Minister said: “I am pleased to attend the Awards Ceremony at Greenmount and celebrate the students’ achievements. It is a great occasion and I congratulate all our students and recognise their hard work in achieving their awards. Once again the CAFRE students have proven themselves in a league of their own. This years examination results have been outstanding across all courses at CAFRE. The quality of our graduates is excellent and they are highly regarded across the industry.”

She added: “I believe that well trained, competent and innovative people like you are the future of our industry and will help us to remain competitive in the global marketplace. You now have a sound foundation in technical and business skills that will make a difference to our industry. I look forward to working with you all in developing our industry in the future.”

The Minister also highlighted the importance of the land-based sector to the local economy. “Down through the years there have been many challenges facing our industry. Indeed, the challenges faced by the industry and the rural communities today in the current economic climate are extremely difficult.  The land-based sector is critical to the well-being of our economy; a key role of my Department is to support the industry and to encourage its growth and development with a strong market focus”.  

Notes to Editors:

  1. The awards were presented by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Michelle Gildernew MP MLA at the annual awards ceremony on 26th June 2009 at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus in Antrim.
  2. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.