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The National Competition in Food, Farming and Natural Environment
The National Competition, started in 2018, aims to engage and inspire future generations about food production, the natural environment and highlight the many career opportunities available in the land-based sector. See how your school (Years 9 to 11) can enter this year's competition.
The National Food, Farming, and Natural Environment competition 2024
The competition, now in its sixth year, aims to engage and inspire students from Year 9 - 11 about farming, food production and the environment, alongside highlighting the many career opportunities available in the land-based sector. Secondary schools from across the UK are encouraged to enter the competition.
Teachers are encouraged to enter the competition on behalf of their students. There are ten semi-finalist places available, winning a visit to a farm for up to 30 students, fully supported by a LEAF Education Specialist. Students will submit an answer to a statement that is presented to them, and submit this for a final 7 schools to be selected to attend the finalist weekend at Myerscough College from 18th – 20th October 2024.
A fantastic opportunity not to be missed, offering real life, curriculum linked experiential learning opportunities for GCSE students – 100% of teachers who have attended the finalists weekend would recommend the competition, and would enter again!
Entries for the 2024 Competition are now OPEN!
What's involved in the weekend prize?
The finalists’ weekend, which will be made up of fun and educational activities based around the college farm, will take place at Myerscough College.
Myerscough College is a specialist land based, science, engineering and sports college with over 97% of the curriculum serving these specialist areas. Their strategic intent is to meet the skills needs of the land based, science, engineering and sports industries in Lancashire, the North West region and nationally. The college is host to a 750 acre mixed farm, including a robotic dairy unit, 190 Dairy Cows, 200 Beef and 1000 Lambing ewes.
You and your students will cover a range of educational topics, focused around the competition title and you will compete in answering an hypothesis over the weekend - the winning school team will be crowned the 'National Winner 2024’
Impact of the competition
First launched in 2018, the competition has had a significant impact in opening young minds to what farming delivers as well as issues around health, wellbeing, sustainability, climate change and career opportunities. Over one-third of students who took part in the competition, have since gone on to apply to study at land-based colleges, with all students reporting that it had changed their perception of the farming industry and helped them with their studies back at school.
The National Competition is delivered by the following partners:
