Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council recently launched their first Farming and Food Photography Competition – and the response was completely overwhelming!
With farming at the heart of the borough, council is currently in the process of developing an innovative Agriculture Strategy – and these winning photographs will now be published in this strategy, as well as in an online gallery.
There were eight categories in total – and the winners are:
Farming Generations and Family – Winner Celine Magill: This photograph shows the children in a field of rye grass at home.
Farming Innovation – Winner Damian McConville: This photograph was taken at sunset of maize crop under plastic. The plastic acts like a greenhouse, warming the soil and retaining moisture.
Food Production – Winner Helen Gilpin: This photograph was taken during pumpkin harvest season in Richhill
Landscapes – Winner Barry McQueen: This aerial photograph captures the first cut of silage at Derrycrew near Loughgall.
Local Food – Winner Emma Liggett: This photo is of rescued battery hens, who now have the freedom to roam the field and produce delicious eggs.
Livestock – Winner Jonathan Sterritt: This photograph captures the cattle cooling down in the River Bann outside Katesbridge.
Machinery – Winner Stephanie Megaw: This image is of two Claas Lexion combines, combining barley in Poyntzpass.
Young Photographer – Winner Annie Kennedy: Sunset on the farm in Tassagh.
“A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to submit their photos to us – the standard was simply incredible and we had a really hard job picking just one winner for each category,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Alderman Glenn Barr.
“We are delighted that these photos will now be part of our innovative Agriculture Strategy as they really help to tell the story of what the Agriculture Industry means to us. We are extremely proud to be the first local council to produce this type of strategy and to recognise the importance of supporting the local farming and agri-food industry.”
More information on the strategy, which aims to set the direction for agriculture, agri-food, agri-business and agri-tech in the borough can be found here: https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/business/agriculture-strategy/
