Win a trip to attend global Youth Ag-Summit

Young farmers are being urged to enter a competition which could see them win a trip to Brussels to take part in a global Youth Ag-Summit.

The summit, now in its third year, aims to address challenges facing global agriculture such as the problem of ensuring food security.

The event, expected to be attended by 100 young people from across the world, will run in October 2017.

See also: Fertile Minds: Don’t miss out on free farming conference

It is being organised by two Belgian young farmers associations – Groene Kring and Federation des Jeunes Agriculteurs – along with Bayer.

To enter the competition, people aged 18 to 25 are being asked to submit an essay on the underlying causes of food insecurity and the effect it can have on a growing population.

A panel of judges will then pick four winners from all the entries from applicants living in the UK and Ireland.

Oliver Cassels, one of the UK delegates who attended the summit in 2015, said: “It was a brilliant week, with an incredible bunch of diverse and interesting people. The amount of innovative ideas and passion, and positive atmosphere made it impossible not to feel empowered.”

Northern Irish delegate Emma McIlveen, who has recently passed exams to become a barrister, said she would encourage young professionals from a wide range of backgrounds to enter the competition.

“We have entered uncertain times following the Brexit result and it is vital to understand the challenges ahead for rural communities.

“You will undoubtedly be inspired, challenged and energised by this unique opportunity to engage on the pressing issue of food security.”

The closing date for entries is 13 January 2017 and details can be found on the Youth Ag-Summit’s website.