Kids asked: How do you imagine the future of farming?

YOUNGSTERS from Dumfries and Galloway are being invited to use their imaginations for a nationwide short story competition.

It has been launched by The Royal Highland Show, as part of Scotland’s National Year of Reading.

And it challenges young writers to bring the future of farming to life through their creative writing submissions.

There are four themes to explore: the future of farming, sustainable food production, innovation in agriculture or caring for animals, crops or the environment.

Offering advice, Dumfries and Galloway based author, bookseller and publisher Jayne Baldwin said: “This competition is an opportunity to have fun with words and imagine an entirely new world, created entirely by you, of how we’ll farm, look after animals and work in agriculture ten, 20 or 30 years from now. It’ll be fascinating to read what’s in store.”

The contest is open to primary 5-7 and S1-S3 pupils, entries must be original work, with one submission per pupil, and an accompanying illustration is welcomed but optional.

The word count for primary is 250 and 500 for secondary and they can be handwritten or typed.

The deadline or entries is Friday May 15 and there will be two winners and two runners-up recognised across the primary and secondary categories.

They will have the chance to win family tickets to attend the Sunday of the Royal Highland Show, book vouchers and have their stories published in The Scottish Farmer, as well as receiving family passes to the Wigtown Book Festival in the autumn.

All entries should be emailed by teachers to [email protected] and include the name of the pupil and their year group.

Above: Zara Hughes pictured with Craigies Farm lamb. Photo credit Ian Georgeson.