The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) in partnership with Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend (BOIOFW) initiative and competition sponsor Asda, are challenging school pupils across Northern Ireland (NI) to put their artistic and creative flare to the test in this year’s ‘Farming through the seasons’ schools’ competition.
This year’s schools competition theme ‘Farming through the seasons’ provides an opportunity for teachers and parents to start the discussion both in the classroom and at home about the importance of food and farming in NI and our unique family farm structure. The competition will allow pupils to learn more about how farmers work hard 365 days of the year throughout the various seasons to produce the nutritious, high-quality produce on our tables.
Nursery, primary and special schools are asked to put their creative skills to the test and take part in our exciting competition that Asda have kindly agreed to sponsor.
The closing date for entries is Friday 24 March 2023.
What does the competition entail?
The competition is split into five sections:
- Foundation level (Nursery, pre-school and playgroups): “Farming through the seasons”. Pupils should decorate the image. Download the template by clicking here.
- Foundation level (P1 and P2): “Farming through the seasons”. Pupils should decorate the image. Download the template by clicking here.
- Key Stage 1 (P3 and P4): “Farming through the seasons” photographic competition’. This can be emailed (lhawkes@ufuhq.com), or an original copy can be posted to UFU headquarters.
- Key Stage 2 (P5-P7): "Farming through the seasons” poem. Pupils should create a quatern poem (16-lines consisting of four quatrains) that highlights farming through the seasons. Download the template by clicking here.
- Special schools: Pupils may enter any section of the competition.
Competition rules
- Playgroups, pre-schools, nursery schools and special schools: A template is available to download, this may be photocopied as many times as required. Physical entries must be maximum of A3 size. All entries must include the pupils name, age, year and school.
- Primary 1, Primary 2 and special schools: A template is available to download, this may be photocopied as many times as required. Physical entries must be maximum of A3 size. All entries must include the pupils name, age, year and school.
- Primary 3, Primary 4 and special schools: Entries can be emailed (lhawkes@ufuhq.com). Physical entries must be maximum of A3 size. All entries must include the pupils name, age, year and school.
- Primary 5, Primary 6, Primary 7 and special schools: Template is provided however this is open to pupils’ own interpretation and there is no restriction on media used – painting, photography and mixed media artworks are all eligible. Physical entries must be maximum of A3 size. All entries must include the pupils name, age, year and school.
Entries are non-returnable. The winning entries will be used by Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend and the UFU, and copyright will not apply. There is no limit to the number of entries and schools can photocopy the templates as many times as required. Originality and neatness will be taken into consideration during judging. The judges’ decision is final.
Please note: Entries will be showcased on social media and on farms throughout the weekend where children’s names are visible. If a pupil wishes not to have their name on display, please write their name on the back and the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend schools co-ordinator will blank this out.
Competition prizes
- £200 for the winning school in each section plus transport for a class to the nearest participating open farm.
- £40 for the winning pupil in each section.
- £100 for the runner-up school in each section plus a Bramley apple tree.
- £20 for the runner-up pupil in each section.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact:
Lynsay Hawkes at UFU HQ (028) 9037 0222 or lhawkes@ufuhq.com.
Send entries to:
BOIOFW schools competition
Ulster Farmers’ Union,
475 Antrim Road,
Belfast,
BT15 3DA
