Photo Credit: Ben Mizzi – Letterpress

About the Competition

Young farmers from around the country showcase their expertise in a series of on-farm challenges showcasing the depth of knowledge and technical skills required in agriculture today.

These challenges can be anything from animal handling to fencing, driving tractors, putting out fires, first aid, heavy lifting and transport challenges.

Once a year, cream of the crop from each state comes together to battle it out for the title of Australian Young Farmer Challenge champions.

What it’s all about

The competition is open to teams of four people, teams must have at least one representative from each gender. Teams must first compete at a local level. Each of the winning local teams are given the opportunity to compete at a Regional level, with the winners in turn progressing to the State finals held during each states royal show. All State winners are then invited to attend the National finals to compete for prize money and the bragging rights of being the “Best of the best” across the country!

Ultimately, the Australian Young Farmer Challenge is a great way for Young Australian’s to network and engage with other young Australians and industry leaders from across the country. For us it’s a way for the industry to celebrate, support and recognise Australia’s future leaders in Agriculture.

To get involved in your local Young Farmer Challenge contact your State or local Show Society or contact us at execofficer@agshowsaustralia.org.au

How to get involved

Hosting a Young Farmer Challenge is a great way to encourage people to come together at your local show, as both competitors and spectators. A Young Farmer Challenge can be run at a very small cost and support is available through ASA and state representatives. All you need is space, a few helpers and some teams and you’re away!

If you need some inspiration to get started or want to talk to someone in your state, see our helpful guides below.

How to run and win a Young Farmer Challenge

Ever wanted to know how easy it is for your show to run a Young Farmer Challenge. Check out this short, funny video giving you all the guidance you need.

State Contacts

The ASA National Emerging Leaders Working Group oversee the National AYFC competition. The ASA Emerging Leaders Working Group aid the development of resources for all levels of AYFC’s, with a focus on sustainable participation, youth engagement, showcasing agricultural innovation and on-farm safety.

The following members are knowledgeable in their state AYFC and a valuable resource for regional and local committees developing their AYFC competition.

Working Group Members

Australian Capital Territory Representatives

Commitee/Org: RNCAS Next Gen

Representative: Pending

New South Wales Representatives

Commitee/Org: RAS NSW Youth Group
Representative: Sarah Stanbury & Justin Matthews
Email: shjstanbury@gmail.comjmattphotography@gmail.com
Phone: 0427 885 501 (Justin)

Commitee/Org: ASC of NSW Next Gen
Representative: Isabel Hawken & Sam Bush
Email: info@ascnextgen.com.au

Northern Territory Representatives

Commitee/Org: NTSC
Representative: Rachael Mashford & Tiffany Davey

Email: show@alice-springs.com.au or mail@katherineshow.org.au  

Queensland Representatives

Commitee/Org: RNA Future Directions Committee
Representative: Alex Cottrell
Email: alex.cottrell@judo.bank

Phone: 0458 479 656

Commitee/Org: QLD Ag Shows Next Generation
Representative: Catherine English
Email: admin@qldagshows.com.au 
Phone: 07 3277 7747 

South Australia Representatives

Commitee/Org: SA Next Gen
Representative: Henry Scott 
Email: sanextgeneration@gmail.com
Phone: 0406 146 819

Tasmania Representatives

Commitee/Org: TAS Ag Shows
Representative: McKinley Garwood

Email: mckinley@hobartshowground.com.au

Phone: 0497 296 660

 

 

Victoria Representatives
Org: Melbourne Royal®
Contact: Andrew Spierings
Email: emergingleaders@melbourneroyal.com.au
Phone: 03 9281 7444
Western Australia Representatives

Commitee/Org: RASWA Next Generation Sub Committee
Secretary: Vivian Truong
Email: vivian.truong@raswa.org.au
Phone: 6263 3166 

YFC Representative: Joshua Antonio
Email: jdantonio@westnet.com.au
Phone: 0429 220 130

AYFC Handbook

This is a comprehensive information handbook, for competition organisers to run an AYFC at your ag show, including guidelines, how-to guides, resources and more.

Title
Australian Young Farmer Challenge Handbook
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October 2024 October 23, 2024

    AYFC “How To” Resources

    These resources are provided as samples, templates and examples only. Competition organisers are encouraged to seek advice to ensure each document suits their needs and adheres to their state’s insurance and work safety regulations. Please contact projectofficer@agshowsaustralia.org.ag for different document formats (i.e.: excel, word).

    Title
    AYFC Animal Welfare Guidelines
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Budget Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Business Case Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Competition Scoring Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Competitor Waiver Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Entry Form Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Procedure Manual Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Risk Assessment Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Risk Management Proformas
    1
    July 5, 2023
    AYFC Sample Challenge Catalogue
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Sample Event Program
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Sponsorship Prospectus Template
    1
    January 12, 2021
    AYFC Team Score Sheet Template
    1
    December 7, 2020
    AYFC Theory Challenge Template
    1
    December 7, 2020

      AYFC Promotional Content Suite

      Ag Shows Australia has prepared a suite of templates and messages for local shows to hit the ground running in promoting the Australian Young Farmer Challenge competition to entrants, sponsors and the local community.

      All of the templates can be downloaded below.

      Title
      AYFC Email Paragraphs for Local Shows & ASA
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      May 17, 2023
      AYFC Line Drawings
      1
      July 5, 2023
      AYFC Local Show Media Release for new sponsor
      1
      May 17, 2023
      AYFC Local Show Media Release Looking for entrants
      1
      May 17, 2023
      AYFC Local Show Media Release looking for Sponsors
      1
      May 17, 2023
      AYFC Local Shows Seeking Entrants – SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.docx
      1
      May 17, 2023
      AYFC Local Shows Seeking Sponsors – Social Media Posts
      1
      May 17, 2023
      YFC Entrant Social Tiles
      1
      June 20, 2023
      YFC Sponsors Social Tiles
      1
      June 20, 2023

        Logo and Competition Naming Guidelines

        A guide for competition organisers on how to name your AYFC competition and use the AYFC brand at your Show.

        Title
        AYFC Logo and Competition Naming Guidelines
        1
        December 7, 2020
        AYFC Logo Files
        1
        December 7, 2020

          Farm Safety

          As the host of an Australian Young Farmer Challenge, it is your opportunity – and your responsibility – to showcase safe working practices for the farming activities that make up the Challenges. Download Safety Guidelines for challenge organisers. or click on the images below to download the PDF for each farm safety banner.

          Title
          AYFC Safety Guidelines for Challenge Organisers
          1
          May 22, 2023
          Farm Safety Banner 1 (Farm Safety)
          1
          November 6, 2023
          Farm Safety Banner 2 (Keep Your Mate Safe)
          1
          November 6, 2023
          Farm Safety Banner 3 (Stories From The Farm)
          1
          November 6, 2023
          Future Farm Safety for Life Resources
          1
          August 25, 2023

            AYFC Regional Grant Program

            The Australian Young Farmer Challenge (AYFC) is an opportunity for young people and agriculture to take centre stage on a local, state and national level. The AYFC competitions provide entertainment and crowd engagement as well education for the broader community about agriculture, food and more specifically, the role of farmers and farm safety.

            Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) received funding from a Federal Government Grants program: Building Landcare Community Capacity (BLCC) as part of the Smart Farming Program under Phase 2 of the National Landcare Program. The purpose of the program was to support the sharing of knowledge and achievements and promote community leadership.

            Currently, the AYFC is a demonstration of the talent, skills, techniques and safe work methods that young farmers use every day for work. Competitors are asked to do their best to complete the challenges correctly against the clock, as well to focus on safety, and most importantly, enjoy the competition and provide entertainment to the audience. Over 100 competitions are run annually at agricultural shows across Australia, however there is a huge scope to expand this network of youth in agriculture.

            The AYFC Regional Grant Program was available to support the purchasing of materials needed to run AYFC competitions at a local, regional and state level across Australia. From start-up competitions through to established local competitions looking to expand into regional and state competitions, funding submissions were accepted from all eligible organising committees.

            Snips from successful applicants:

            “The YFC Regional Funding Grant has allowed us to build on the YFC equipment we have been able to acquire over the years through in-kind sponsorship. The variety of equipment the group now has through the funding, will allow for shows to collaborate with the group and other shows within their region.”

            SA Next Generation Group

            “The AYFC Grant allowed us to purchase equipment that was used during the Challenge. The AYFC Grant has ensured that the AYFC event will continue at the Bellingen Show for the foreseeable future by providing signage and equipment that will be incorporated into coming challenges.”
            Bellinger River Agricultural Society

            “Previously I had created challenges for the course using equipment that I had from my own property and the local high school. This grant will allow us to create more “farm based” challenges and also advertise the challenges and create social media posts to draw in a large crowd.”
            Tenterfield Show Society

            News

            South Australia Wins The National Australian Young Farmer Challenge

            South Australia Wins The National Australian Young Farmer Challenge

            NSW, TAS, VIC, WA and SA all vied for the National Young Farmer Challenge award at the 2023 Royal Adelaide Show. The initial portion of the competition was a quiz that tested the team’s general knowledge on famous faces, farm safety and general agricultural. At the...

            Five Reasons Every Show Should Host The Young Farmer Challenge

            Five Reasons Every Show Should Host The Young Farmer Challenge

            1. It’s a downright good time  Who knew that watching someone frantically roll a swag on the clock could be so amusing? The Australian Young Farmer Challenge is a fantastic way to engage young people from your community in a fun format while showcasing and educating...

            Five Easy Activities To Include In Your Young Farmer Challenge

            Five Easy Activities To Include In Your Young Farmer Challenge

            Tractor, alpacas, and fire extinguishing challenges are a great time but did you know you can have just as much fun with the humble spud? Here are five super simple activities that will challenge your farmers but won’t have your show committee tied up in a logistical...

            Five Top Tips For Running A Cracking Young Farmer Challenge

            Five Top Tips For Running A Cracking Young Farmer Challenge

            1.Get creative – but not at the expense of practicality  Challenges can be simple and do not require large machinery or animals if these are not available. Remember to include education, new technology, safety and entertainment. The best challenges are those that can...

            26 Fun Activities To Run In The Australian Young Farmer Challenge

            26 Fun Activities To Run In The Australian Young Farmer Challenge

            We’ve rounded up 30 action-packed activities from 13 different categories to help committees prepare an entertaining AYFC competition that will get the blood pumping and the crowd roaring:  WOOL         1. Run, wool bale, run Each team rolls a wool bale off a ute to a...

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            Coming Soon

            This content has been developed as part of the Project to assist Agricultural Shows of Australia with the Young Judges and Paraders Program and the Young Farmers Challenge. This project is jointly funded through Agricultural Shows Australia and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

            promoting the role and significance of Australian Agricultural Shows to the wider community

            About Ag Shows Australia

            Agricultural Shows Australia represents over 580 shows nation-wide and works to engage, influence and promote the essential value of Australian Agriculture.

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