Farmvention school competition to find Climate Superheroes

The NFU’s third annual Farmvention school competition will focus on the greatest global challenge of all – climate change.

Primary and secondary schoolchildren are being challenged to develop an invention, innovation or idea that would help British farmers care for the environment and reduce their impact on the climate.

To help, the NFU has created new interactive 3D farm tours so that children can learn about cattle, combine harvesters, robotic cow milkers, and the development of robots to zap weeds and map farms using artificial intelligence.

See also: Farmers part of the climate solution, conference hears

The 3D tours will be available alongside four inspiration hubs – based around the themes of technology, soil and plant health, renewable energy and sustainable food – which provide science-, technology-, engineering- and maths-related activities that can be completed both at home and at school. 

NFU president Minette Batters said: “Children today are more aware of our impact on the climate than ever.

“It is crucial we bring food and farming into the debate to build children’s understanding of sustainable food production, what farmers are already doing to reduce their climate impact, and what more can be done.

“I can’t wait to see what the nation’s schoolchildren come up with this year to win the title ‘Climate Superhero’.”

Mass participation

Over the past two years, more than 5,000 children have got involved in Farmvention, which aims to bring the world of food and farming into the classroom.

Winners will be invited to present their ideas to parliament and will receive £1,000 for their school to spend on technology or outdoor learning equipment. Entries close on 31 May 2021.

The NFU has announced plans for UK agriculture to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the UK government target.