Are you Tassie’s Young Farmer of the Year 2022?

Andrea O’Halloran, Tasmania’s Yong Farmer of the Year 2021. Photo Supplied. 

The Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania, along with naming rights partner Woolworths, are excited to announce that the 2022 Woolworths Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year Competition is now open for entries.

The competition was launched at Quercus Park, Carrick on Friday January 14, 2022.

Josh Mison Rural Youth Tasmania State President spoke at the launch and said, "As Rural Youth State President I am very proud to be welcoming Woolworths on board as naming rights sponsor and to launch the 2022 Woolworths Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year Competition.”

The competition is open to any Tasmanian aged between 15 and 30 and you don’t have to be a farmer to enter!

Mr Mison commented that previous competitors, including himself, came from a wide array of backgrounds from bankers and agronomists to builders and homemakers.

He said, “A love for agriculture is all you need”.

The organisation aims to foster the great farming culture present in Tasmania through education and a bit of healthy competition.

Mr Mison encouraged all Tasmanians aged between 15 and 30 to jump onto their website and get their entries in before the February 14 closing date and to be part of this great and very rewarding event.

Woolworths Riverside Store Manager Wesley Polden spoke highly of Woolworths relationship with Rural Youth Tasmania and Tasmanian farmers.

“We are really proud of our relationship with the Tasmanian farmers and producers and sponsoring the Rural Youth Tasmanian Young Farmer Competition is amazing.

“We are so proud to be able to be part of the Rural Youth Young Farmer of the Year competition and are really looking forward to the competitors and what they have to go through.”

The winner of the 2021 Tasmanian Young Farmer Competition Andrea O’Halloran said it was a privilege to be named the 2021 winner for the Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year Competition.

“Having been involved in the competition and participating since 2017, it was a fantastic opportunity and I have certainly learnt a lot along the way.”

Ms O’Halloran said, “I really would encourage any young person to have a go. You don’t have to be off a farm.

“It is about participating, meeting people, testing your skills, and learning new skills as well. I really encourage everyone to hop online, register and participate this year.”

The competition tests the practical and theoretical knowledge of our contestants through a series of 12 agriculture-related modules spanning a range of skills from sheep handling, soil health and sprayer calibration to public speaking and finance.

Contestants battle it out for top spot, a chance to win some amazing prizes and the title of Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year!

Entries close February 14 2022. Run-offs will occur on Saturday March 26 2022 at Hagley Farm School and the State Final is to be held on Saturday May 28 2022 at Quercus Park, Carrick.

More details can be found on the Rural Youth website: www.ruralyouth.com.au/youngfarmer