The search is on for the next winner of a prestigious Norfolk environmental award for young people.
The £1,000 award is open to employees and apprentices under 30, working in Norfolk farming, growing, countryside and conservation roles.
The winner of the Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year Award will be presented with their prize at the Royal Norfolk Show.
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s lead Bishop for the environment, said: “I am delighted to be working again in partnership with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Food and Farming Discovery Trust to offer this 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.”
Last year’s winner was Bea White, who was presented with her prize by the Duke of Edinburgh. She was working with Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (Norfolk FWAG) on a 12-month placement as part of a degree course in environmental land management. She told judges about projects she was involve in including surveying breeding birds, woodland management plans and mapping land using specialist software. She also set up a youth membership programme for Norfolk FWAG and a partnership with Young Farmers’ Clubs in the county.
The 2025 winner will receive a £1,000 award from the Bishop of Norwich, to help fund training and professional development, and two tickets to the Royal Norfolk Show, where the prize will be presented on Thursday 26th June 2025.
Applicants must work within the land-based sector with a job or apprenticeship focused on one or more of the following areas: land management, conservation, countryside management, ecology, climate change management, forestry management and horticulture.
Full details of how to enter can be found on the Food and Farming Discovery Trust website.
The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 12 May.