Congratulations to Lusk farmer Shane Halpin who won “Other Enterprises” category (Horticulture) at the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards 2021 in association with Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA. The competition was first launched in 1999 and and has been successful in raising the profile of young farmers within their community by recognising their achievements and contribution to farming.. Shane graduated from Technological University Dublin with a degree in Horticulture. He always had an interest in farming from a very young age, he gained this interest from his grandad and his uncles at their farm in Lusk, he spent all his school holidays working with them. Shane also spent some time working on farms in New Zealand and the USA to gain further experience.Shane started Welgro Produce which is located in Rush, Co. Dublin along with Sean and Gary Weldon in 2020.Welgro is one of only two commerical cucumber growers in Ireland. The company employs up to 15 people at peak times in the areas of grading/picking/packing and distribution. Their company recently won “The Irish Newbie new entrant competition” in association with Teagasc. They were also featured on RTE’s “Ear To The Ground” program recently. Shane is also a member of The North County Dublin Macra na Feirme. Shane made it into the final five of the Young Farmer of the Year Award 2021 by winning his category. The awards were announced on December 17th at an event which was streamed live on Macra Na Feirme’s Facebook page and zoom. After receiving the award Shane said he was extremely proud of his achievement for his company and for the horticulture industry.