Applications are open for the eighth joint Bayer and Farming and Countryside Education Bayer / FACE Awards.
Celebrating the great work that farmers and those involved in agriculture do to provide meaningful learning experiences for all ages and abilities, but especially children and young adults on farms and in the countryside.
There is a disconnect between many young people and agriculture, explains Alice Turnbull, from Bayer’s Communications and Government Affairs department.
"It is important for everyone to understand where their food comes from and how it is produced, and the role that science and technology plays in farming today in feeding a growing population sustainably."
“The Bayer / FACE Awards are an excellent way of highlighting those farmers who go to considerable efforts to help provide an enjoyable learning experience on farms, and who do much to bridge the divide between farming and the public.”
Farming and Countryside Education is the industry’s leading charity providing the link between farming and schools.
Its CEO Dan Corlett says that farming and food supply is everybody’s business.
"We believe it is essential more than ever for the agricultural industry to have an informed conversation with consumers, voters and even employees of the future."
"Those who work directly with schools and the public are at the forefront of that conversation, and are of immeasurable value to farming, and to society."
Applicants are able to enter the competition, which culminates in an Awards ceremony in September 2017, in one of five categories that demonstrate the array of initiatives operating nationwide.
The five categories are:
Access Award for a farm which demonstrates outstanding achievement in encouraging access for pupils with special needs, disaffected students or disadvantaged young people.
Biodiversity Award for a farm which encourages young people to develop a greater understanding of the importance of biodiversity – in general or for a specific species.
Future of Farming Champion Award for a farm which is making an outstanding contribution to improving young people’s understanding of the food and farming sector. For example, encouraging entrepreneurship through schools, farmers’ markets, offering work experience or explaining career opportunities.
Farm School Partnership Award for a farm fostering successful relationships with one or several schools, making a valuable and sustained contribution to school life both on and away from the farm.
Inspiring Educator Award for a farmer or team who have initiated inspiring new learning experiences which are seen as something really unusual or particularly innovative and effective in terms of the learning that children have on the farm or back in the classroom.
For the first time applicants are also offered the additional option of providing a two-minute video alongside their conventional application used with their smartphone briefly highlighting why they think they should win an award.
The closing date for entries is 14 April 2017.
Previous winner of the Access Award Category Julie White of the WELLIES project, who took part in the Awards to raise awareness of the importance of care farming, encourages anyone to enter.
