Young City Farmers 2008

My passion for encouraging city youngsters to experience the countryside continues unabated. I know from the positive effect these schemes have on their participants that we must do more to encourage this type of initiative. To have the support of the Royal Agricultural College and CLA highlights that we need to give a priority to these activities.   I would love to enlist similar support from all agricultural colleges in the UK so that we can make a real impact on promoting the countryside to young people.

The Royal Agricultural College is again working with me to offer a wonderful opportunity for twelve youngsters from UK cities, who are interested in food, farming and rural occupations, to experience countryside living and working at its best.

This year, the scheme not only gives participants practical experience of land-based work, but incorporates the theme of 'Field to Plate', where participants will also learn how to prepare and cook food, and of course taste it. Endorsing the objectives of 'The Year of Food and Farming' (Royal Agricultural Society for England (RASE)), the 2008 Young City Farmer Programme provides an excellent opportunity to those for whom food, farming and the countryside are almost alien.

We are seeking twelve young people to participate in the programme. With little or no experience of the countryside, participants will need to be excited by the opportunity to learn rural skills and willing to face challenges in a countryside environment. Participants will have the drive to share new activities, work as part of a team and explore the opportunities that the food and farming industries have to offer. They will further their rural skills and experiences in view of their future career or educational progression.

The programme will run over three weeks and will start on Monday 14th July 2008. It will be based at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Successful applicants will be fully sponsored by the Royal Agricultural College and the CLA Charitable Trust.

Further information and application forms are available from Emma Thomas, tel 01285 889912 or by email: emma.thomas@rac.ac.uk. Information is also on the College's website: www.rac.ac.uk. Or you can click here to download an application form.