The Ulster Farmers Union, in partnership with Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend and ASDA, has launched its 2016 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, ‘A Year of Food and Farming’. ASDA have kindly agreed to sponsor the competition with a range of prizes up for grabs for the lucky winners.
UFU deputy president, Barclay Bell said: “This is an exciting year for Northern Ireland as the industry focuses on our ‘Year of Food and Drink’. 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.”
Now in its fifth 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.
“This competition will give pupils a greater knowledge of the seasonality of our produce and how it is produced. It will also underline 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.
He said that each year the UFU has been impressed with the number and quality of entries for the Schools Competition.
“We would again encourage schools and teachers to participate, in what is a very worthwhile competition,” said Mr Bell.
Entry forms have been sent to all nursery, primary and special schools. The closing date for entries is Friday 20 May 2016.
For further information visit www.ufuni.org or contact Kate Cairns at UFU HQ on 028 9037 0222 or kcairns@ufuhq.com.
