In 2023 the Award was presented at the Royal Norfolk Show by committed environmentalist, HRH The Prince of Wales. The award is a partnership between the Bishop of Norwich and the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, with help from the Food & Farming Discovery Trust.
It’s open to employees and apprentices, under the age of 23, who work for a Norfolk-based employer in the land-based sector. This prestigious award aims to raise the profile of land-based environment employment opportunities and apprenticeship schemes within Norfolk. As well as this, it’s hoped the award will enhance the winner’s CV.
Applicants must work within the land-based sector and their employment or apprenticeship should be focused on one or more of the following areas; land management, conservation, countryside management, ecology, climate change management, forestry management and horticulture.
The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize to help toward training requirements, as well as two tickets to the Royal Norfolk Show where their award will be presented. The winner will be presented with their prize by the Bishop of Norwich at the Royal Norfolk Show on Thursday 27th June 2024.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher said:
“I am delighted to be working again in partnership with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Foor and Farming Discovery Trust to offer this major prize to encourage and recognize those setting out on a career in land and nature. The nominees always give me great hope for the future, not least because I am passionate about the care of God’s creation and supporting those who appreciate the natural world as much as I have in my life.”
Mark Nicholas, Managing Director of the RNAA said:
“The RNAA is delighted to partner again with the Bishop of Norwich to deliver this important initiative. The award is central to the RNAA’s wider role of promoting food production, farming, and the countryside, and it seeks to recognise the inspirational efforts by young people to enhance our biodiversity and how we manage our natural capital.”
This exciting award was launched in 2022. In 2023, the prize was claimed by Robert Jackets, who is studying the Crop Technician Level 3 Course at Easton College and also works on Salle Farms. His winning video explained many of things Salle Farms currently do to limit their environmental impact. He also explained his interest in field margins and their benefits, being heavily involved in their implementation at Salle through the Countryside Stewardship Agreement. You can see Robert’s winning video here.
Robert Jackets said:
“Growing up I’ve always had a passion for farming, agriculture, and big machinery. I don’t come from a farming community family, but I grew up surrounded by countryside. Getting the apprenticeship was great, and now getting a full-time job is a dream come true. In the future I’d like to help mentor other apprentices and do more with cultivation and drilling. I’m really happy and grateful to receive this award.”
The award is in partnership with The Bishop of Norwich, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, and the Food & Farming Discovery Trust.
HOW TO APPLY
The Food & Farming Discovery Trust, which is the education vehicle of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, will be undertaking the shortlisting and judging of the competition.
To enter applicants should submit a letter of recommendation from their employer along with a homemade video (e.g. made on a smart phone) not exceeding five minutes, which covers the following:
· A brief introduction about themselves
- Why they chose their current employment/apprenticeship
- How the employment/apprenticeship his helping to prepare them for career development
- Why they are interested in environmental issues, what they have done about this already within their employment/apprenticeship, and how they hope to make a difference to this area particularly during their current employment/apprenticeship but also in their future careers.
Applications should be submitted to Frances Roberson no later than 09:00 on Monday 13th May 2024. Please submit by email to frances.roberson@rnaa.org.uk (videos should be submitted using WeTransfer).