The final heat of the competition took place on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 with members from Counties Antrim and Londonderry travelling to Ballymoney High School.
At the heat competitors were divided into two age groups, 12-16 years and 16-25 years.
They were then given just one hour to complete a floral decoration depicting the Keats-inspired theme of 'Mellow Fruitfulness'. Artificial, fresh or dried material could be used in the decoration and all arrangements had to be constructed on the evening.
The arrangements were marked out of 100 in the following categories: choice of materials (30); presentation (30) and finally technical skills displayed (40).
Judges Anne-Marie Grant and Sherry Suett congratulated everyone on their imaginative and interesting interpretations of the theme and announced the names of the four finalists from the heat who will go through to the Northern Ireland final, which will return once again to agriculture's premiere venue, Balmoral Show in May 2009.
The Association would like to take this opportunity to thank Mike Routh and Joe Crawford from Fort Dodge Animal Health for sponsoring this competition and for coming along to the heats.
The YFCU would also like to thank judges Anne-Marie Grant and Sherry Suett and Ballymoney High School for the use of their facilities.
Results:
Ballymoney High School - Judges Anne-Marie Grant and Sherry Suett
Junior 12-16: 1st, Jessica Reid, Glarryford; 2nd, Julie Simpson, Lisnamurrican
Senior 16-25: 1st, Kathryn Smyth, Coleraine; 2nd, Melissa Miller, Lisnamurrican.