Ingenious young farmers replace annual rally with online version!
WHEN the annual Staffordshire Young Farmers Rally had to be called off they decided to hold a virtual event instead - with farming families from across the county taking part or helping to judge.
The event has been held every year since the Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs was formed in 1952, so organisers were determined that even a global pandemic wouldn’t stop them.
Instead of meeting on a Staffordshire farm the members, aged from 10 to 26, decided to go virtual. They invited entries via their Facebook page and allowed the page’s 4,000 followers to do the judging.
Traditional categories were abandoned in favour of the likes of decorated wellies, obstacle courses, deckchairs and making firepits.
County organiser Julia Taylor explained: “As Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs and their members are no longer able to hold meetings and activities many members have been busy helping in their local communities, some are working hard as key workers on the farm and feeding the nation. Not having the YFC activities on a weekly basis has left a large gap in their social life.
The decorated wellies entry was displayed with a real chick.
“Forward thinking members decided that they still wanted the opportunity to get creative in the various competitions, to showcase their skills, and of course have some fun too.”
For the younger members of Staffordshire YFC there were two craft classes – decorated wellies and a decorated pint glass.
The winning decorated wellies from Leah Trubshaw, of Chase YFC, were painted with chicks and displayed with a real chick. The winning glass was artistically turned into a dairy cow by Molly Bratton, of Eccleshall YFC.
The number of Facebook likes for each entry was calculated along with an independent judge’s placings to give the overall result.
Floral Art is a popular competition with YFC members of all ages. This class was adapted to a spring garden bouquet, which attracted 12 entries ranging from displays in bicycle baskets to quirky floral tributes in wellington boots. The winning display was from Pip Titley, an Ashley YFC member.
Members of Staffordshire YFC also showed off their artistic flair, with a farm animal canvas class. The judge, Lisa Goldstraw, was wowed by the winning painting of a grey horse created by Alisa Bartley of Abbotsholme YFC, the only school young farmers club in Staffordshire.
Other classes included deckchairs, a fire pit made from recycled materials and a homemade obstacle course, which had to be videoed in action. Greg Large of Cheadle YFC won the obstacle course class with his varied course including football skills and a roller.
There were a number of photography classes with themes including Farm Worker in Action, Success and Stuck in the Mud.
Will Freeman, county chairman of Staffordshire YFC, said: “This year’s rally has been very different, but I would like to congratulate all the members and say thank you for getting involved with such typical YFC enthusiasm.
“We shall be launching more virtual competitions and activities for our members to get involved in whilst Staffordshire YFC is on lockdown including shoe box show floats for what would normally be the Staffordshire County Show week. “
Staffordshire YFC is also holding virtual get togethers, online quizzes and an online Play Your Cards Right evening.