Anna Trappe from St Catherine's N.S Aughrim Ballinasloe Wins In the Farm Safety Art Competition!

Minister Coveney, Anne Trappe and Ms Caroline O'Dowd of Macra na Feirme

The winners have been announced of the first Children's Farm Safety Art Competition organised by Macra na Feirme. Over six hundred children took part in the art competition from all over the country. Anna Trappe (10), a fourth class student in St. Catherine’s N.S Aughrim, Ballinasloe won with her “Stay Safe on the Farm Stay out of Harm” poster. Anna was presented with her prize by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD in Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin. Minister Coveney is a passionate believer in the promotion of farm safety and commended the participants on their inspirational posters.

The judges from EmbraceFARM said they thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the entries and were very impressed with the level of knowledge on the issue and the fantastic art work that was produced.
​
The aim of the Farm Safety competition is to raise awareness of farm safety, a topic which is very important to Macra na Feirme, among young children. Caroline O'Dowd is a primary school teacher in a small rural school in county Longford, she explained "I teach children from Junior infants to second class and every year there are lots of little farmers among my students. These children are out on the farms with their parents, grandparents and other relations on a daily basis. They don't understand the dangers on the farm because they consider it their playground. I feel the bad habits are being formed at this young age so it is at this age they have to be taught the need for good safety practices.”

It's great to see that farm safety is being promoted throughout the schools and how it is being met with such enthusiasm!

---