UFU Launch ‘Farming through the Century’ Schools Competition.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union, in partnership with Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend and ASDA, has launched its 2018 schools competition.
The competition is open to all nursery, primary, and special schools across Northern Ireland. This year pupils have been asked to put their creative skills to the test around the theme, ‘Farming through the century’. This theme has been chosen to help the Ulster Farmers’ Union celebrate its centenary year. ASDA has kindly agreed to sponsor the competition with a range of prizes up for grabs for the lucky winners.
UFU president, Barclay Bell said, “The competition is about engaging with school children – to get them thinking about farming and the hard work that goes into producing our first class food.”
He said that each year the UFU has been impressed with the number and quality of entries for the Schools Competition. “This competition will give pupils a greater understanding of how farming practices have changed over the years. We would again encourage schools and teachers to participate, in what is a very worthwhile competition,” said Mr Bell.
Now in its seventh year, Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend has gone from strength to strength. The free event provides schools with the opportunity to educate children about the ‘Farm to Fork’ journey. “The weekend underlines the importance of supporting local producers to benefit the rural community and wider economy in Northern Ireland. I would certainly encourage schools to consider a trip to a farm,” said Mr Bell.
Entry forms have been sent to all nursery, primary and special schools. The closing date for entries isFriday 9 March 2018.
For further information visit www.ufuni.org or contact Heather Stewart at UFU HQ on 028 9037 0222 orheather@ufuhq.com.
Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend will take place on Friday 15 June, Saturday 16 June and Sunday 17 June 2018. A full list of participating farms will be avaialble from April onwards at: www.openfarmweekend.com
The competition is split into four sections:-
* Foundation level (Nursery, P1 & P2): Decorate the picture of the horse, tractor and “100”
* Key Stage 1 (P3 & P4): Pupils should create a picture to show an element of farming over the past 100 years in Northern Ireland
* Key Stage 2 (P5-P7): Create a poem, limerick or song that shows an element of how farming has changed in Northern Ireland over the past 100 years
* Special Schools: May enter any category.
