A STRONG field of agriculturalists are in the running to be named Tasmania's young farmer of the year.
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The Rural Youth Tasmania regional runoff series last month saw the field whittled down from 26 to 15, with finalists to go head to head in a test of agricultural, financial and business knowledge at Carrick on Saturday, September 13.
Last year's winner, Victoria Percival, of Kettering, took home $10,000 in prizes, with the 2014 top six to compete for a prize pool of $30,000.
Cressy's Prue Dennis, who has placed in the top three for the past two years, said Tasmania had a strong contingent of young farmers, despite waning interest in rural matters among young people.
"It is vitally important we recognise the young farmers because the rural industry as a rule is generally struggling in terms of young people having a vested interest in agriculture in Tasmania," Ms Dennis said.
"It is important that we encourage the young farmers of the state as we need to continue to produce the quality and diverse products that we have for many years."
The top 15 finalists to compete at Carrick's Quercus Rural Youth Park in September are: Angus Verhay, Brighid Worldon, Casey Jones, Dale Hayers, Ethan Williams, Keith Lee, Malcolm Campbell, Martin McConnon, Matthew Bayles, Morgan Waters, Peter Damen, Phillipa Green, Prue Dennis, Richard Petrie and Will McConnon.
