Deadline looming for NFU young reporter award

In its search for talented young reporters NFU Cymru is reminding budding young journalists that time is running out to enter this year’s Young Countryside Reporter competition.

NFU Cymru is looking for budding young journalists to visit a local farm and report on their experience before Thursday, 30 September 2010.

The organisation, has teamed up with Britains Farm Toys to run the Young Countryside Reporter competition and welcomes entries written in either Welsh or English.

NFU Cymru President, Ed Bailey said, "Thousands of children visit our roadshow and other NFU Cymru events around the country every year to find out more about food production in Wales. Many of our members also open up their farms to families and school groups so the Countryside Reporter competition is a great way to get younger visitors to really think about their time on a farm.

"We know the fantastic prizes on offer from Britains Farm Toys will encourage lots of youngsters to share their thoughts on what they saw, touched or even smelt."

To enter, young visitors to farms aged 5 -12 years-old must write a report of their outing. The best entry in Wales will win a miniature farm of their own filled with toys and tractors worth £200. The top report from a 5 -7 year-old in the Wales will win a bonus prize of a Britains Big Farm radio control John Deere tractor.

The Britains Farm Toys range of scale model tractors, farm vehicles and farm animals have been a firm favourite with children for generations.

Craig Varley, Marketing Director for Britains said, "The summer events were a fantastic way for children – and adults – to learn various aspects of farming such as where food comes from, wildlife habitats, maintaining the countryside and farming as a business. We’re hoping that the competition will inspire children to really get involved this year and express why farming matters to them."