Competition expands to meet demand
Rural youth now have the opportunity to show their skills off to the nation by entering the upcoming agricultural competitions - but they have to be quick.
The AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg competitions are held all over New Zealand and due to popularity, organisers are warning teams to get their entries in now.
New Zealand Young Farmers Competitions Co-ordinator David Highsted said since AgriKidsNZ began in 2005 and TeenAg began in 2009 the competition has gone from strength to strength.
‘‘In the last contest season that culminated in record entries and we have now expanded the number of teams competing to adjust to the growth,’’ Highsted said.
TeenAg numbers competing increased by 27 per cent last year alone and AgriKidsNZ by six per cent.
‘‘It’s encouraging to see that the work NZ Young Farmers puts in to exciting the younger generation about agriculture is being rewarded and we hope it will eventually reward the entire New Zealand Primary Industry,’’ Highsted said.
The competitions were designed as a fun competitive way to introduce urban and rural schools and families to agriculture, the contests have become the highlight of many students’ year.
Last year the Taranaki/ Manawatu¯ Regional Final was held at Ha¯ wera’s TSB Hub.
In April Highsted said the competitions were entertaining for the competitors and spectators, but also important for the young future farmers.
‘‘Our whole goal is just trying to attract kids to our competition, then upskill them with the modules and then retain them within our primary industries,’’ he said.
‘‘If we get them at a younger age, they’re more likely to see them progress right through the different competitions.’’
AgriKidsNZ is for children aged from eight years old to year eight at school. TeenAg is for teenagers year nine to year 13 at school. The kids and teenagers entered themselves and chose their own teams.
Highsted said there was a lot of encouragement for students from both farming and non-farming backgrounds to ‘‘come out and have a go.
‘‘There are some that come from urban areas, but a big chunk of them are definitely rural-based kids,’’ he said.
‘‘But we’re trying to bridge that gap.’’