Wexford school pupil awarded top honours in Farm Safety Awards

Irish Rural Link has today announced the winners of the second year of the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme, with Pádraig Cooper from Ballyellis National School, Gorey one of four recipients nationwide recognised as a Farm Safety Ambassador. Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the programme aims to bring practical, curriculum-aligned farm safety education into primary school classrooms, while strengthening links between schools, local farmers. and the wider community.

Speaking about the awards, Minister of State for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD said:

‘I want to congratulate the winners of the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme, and to thank the schools and teachers who engaged in its delivery. I am urging all schools nationwide to consider participating from the start of the next school year. I am glad to be involved in this initiative, and confident that it will continue to make an important contribution to increasing children’s awareness of farm safety.’

Local pupil awarded

The Farm Safety Ambassador Award is nominated by schoolteachers, aiming to highlight pupils that reflect a dedication to raising awareness about farm safety. Padraig was nominated by his school as a standout candidate for his exceptional leadership and enthusiasm. The 11-year-old comes from a farming background and is an active participant in GAA, rugby, and chess. Pádraig established and led his school’s AgriKids Committee and has embraced his role as committee chairperson, successfully mobilising students across all classes to engage with farm safety initiatives. He ensures inclusivity and active participation from pupils of all ages. Judges noted that his strong leadership and commitment made him an easy choice for the award.

Farm Safety for Everyone

The AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador Awards are part the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador Programme, a wider initiative from Irish Rural Link’s AgriKids, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The programme offers participating schools two flexible formats, the AgriKids Farm Safety Hour and the more immersive, flag linked Farm Safety Day, to embed farm safety into the curriculum. Schools that choose to run a Farm Safety Day are also eligible to apply for the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador Awards.

The initiative encourages schools to engage directly with farmers, veterinarians, first responders and wider agri stakeholders, who deliver in-school talks and demonstrations rooted in real-life experience. Key safety topics are accessible for teachers through online resources or topic-driven, in-person sessions across farm and field safety, tractor and machinery safety, and animal safety and wellbeing.

Schools can earn themed pennants for each completed day, with those completing all three receiving the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador Flag in recognition of excellence in farm safety education.

Speaking to Wexford Weekly, Irish Rural Link CEO, Briain Smyth said:

“Farms are unusual in that they are both workplaces and family homes, so farm safety has to be taught from an early age. AgriKids proves the value of dedicated, community-led education in preventing serious injuries and saving lives. This year’s participants and award winners show how easily farm safety can be built into the school curriculum, and how children carry those lessons home, changing attitudes and behaviour in their own families and in the wider community.”

“On behalf of Irish Rural Link, I want to congratulate every pupil, teacher and school who took part this year, especially our award winners, and I would encourage schools across the country to take part again next year.”