Several pupils from county Armagh schools have been welcomed to a special workshop in the Cool FM /Downtown Country studios as part of the 2025 ABP Angus Youth Challenge.
Pupils from Markethill High School and St. Joseph’s High School in Crossmaglen – who are finalists in the challenge – took part in the exclusive media training workshop.
The session was provided as an opportunity for the four finalist teams to get together for the first time since reaching the final and to help them communicate the agricultural projects they have been assigned as part of their ABP Angus Youth Challenge.
The Markethill High School team are looking at Food Provenance and raising consumer awareness of where and how farm quality assured Northern Irish Angus beef is produced.
Pictured from left Representing Markethill High School in the 2025 ABP Angus Youth Challenge are (back row from left) Rachel Johnston and Natasha Dickson; and (front row) Ellie Gilmore and Autumn Mulholland with Victoria Quinn, Breakfast Show Presenter Downtown Country
And, the St. Joseph’s High School team are looking at beef consumption in young consumers for their finalist project.
Alongside the three other finalist schools they received hands-on experience in crafting engaging digital content, understanding social media algorithms, and developing compelling narratives to showcase their journey in the competition.
These skills are to help the students share their work and experiences with both farming and non-farming communities.
The workshop introduced students to best practices in digital content and online safety.
The ABP Angus Youth Challenge Finalists representing St Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen – Michaela McGuinness and Casey-Jane Creegan with Victoria Quinn, Presenter Downtown Country / Cool FM
Guest speakers Downtown Country presenter Victoria Quinn, Cool FM’s Paulo Ross, and Bauer Media NI’s Keith Law shared their expertise on leveraging different platforms to maximize engagement and storytelling impact.
Throughout the day, students participated in interactive discussions and practical workshops, learning how to present their projects effectively.
They also worked in teams to create and record digital content, developing the confidence to share their work with a broader audience.
The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered in partnership with Certified Irish Angus.
Commenting on the commitment to nurturing the skills of young agri-enthusiasts George Mullan Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland said: “This initiative underscores the importance of equipping young people with the tools to communicate their ideas effectively.
“As the next generation takes on the challenges of sustainable farming, opportunities like this help bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, ensuring they have the skills to connect with a wider audience.”
