Project Information
The Food Security Conference aims to engage sixth form students in a comprehensive exploration of food production and security, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities behind food sourcing. Our primary objectives are:
- Awareness and Education: To illuminate the intricate processes involved in food production, from agricultural practices to distribution and consumption, thereby enhancing students’ awareness of the factors that influence food availability and quality.
- Critical Thinking: To cultivate critical thinking skills among participants, enabling them to assess and question food production methods, sustainability, and ethical considerations. This includes examining the impact of various agricultural practices on the environment, economies, and societies.
- Informed Decision-Making: To empower students with knowledge and insights that will inform their future food purchasing decisions, encouraging them to consider the broader implications of their choices on food security and sustainability.
4. Interdisciplinary Understanding: To provide students with a multidisciplinary perspective on food security, integrating elements of science, economics, policy, and ethics to present a holistic view of the challenges and innovations within the field.
5. Engagement and Inspiration: To inspire a sense of responsibility and curiosity about food systems, motivating students to further explore careers or advocacy roles related to agriculture, food security, and sustainable development. Engagement and Inspiration: To inspire a sense of responsibility curiosity about food systems, motivating students to further explore careers or advocacy roles related agriculture, security, sustainable development. By achieving these objectives, we aim to equip students with a robust foundation in food security issues, fostering a generation of informed, thoughtful, and proactive individuals capable of contributing to the future of global food systems.
Sumary
This project was planned by the FFDT with funding from the Clan Trust.
The conference took place on Wednesday 20th November 2024 at the JIC Conference Centre and provided a range of talks from industry experts within argiculture. The event was open to all sixth form and college students in Norfolk, regardless of their educational pathways or subjects and was free to attend, including lunch and refreshments. We had 142 students across eight sixth forms and colleges registered to attend including
- City of Norwich Sixth Form
- East Norfolk Sixth Form College
- Easton College
- Fakenham Academy Sixth Form
- Gresham’s School
- Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form
- Wymondham High School Sixth Form
Sixth Form staff were responsible for booking students spaces at the conference, however although there was option individual to apply attend, if their sixth form or college not participating, this widely taken up.
Schedule
- Arrival from 09:15
- 10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and State of the Nation – Jeremy Buxton
- 10:10 – 10:30 Session One – Regenerative Livestock – Gaby George
- 10:30 – 10: 50 Session Two – Land Use Management James Beales
- 10:50 – 11:10 Session Three – Reduction of Food Waste Caroline Seaman
- 11:10 – 11:25 BREAK LUNCH
- 11:25 – 11:45 Session Four – Soil Health Jimmy Goodley
- 11:45 – 12:05 Session Five – Imports, Exports and Food Standards Josh Dewing
- 12:05 – 12: 50 LUNCH 12:05
- 12:50 – 13:05 Session Six – Controlled Environment Agriculture Jaco Olivier
- 13:05 – 13:20 Session Seven – HP3 – Dr Shannon Woodhouse
- 13:20 – 13:35 Session Eight – Water Management – Andrew Spinks
- 13:35 – 13:50 Session Nine- Panel Discussion
- 13:50 – 14:00 Event Summary and closing remarks- JerEMY bUXTON
- 14:00 – CLOSE AND DEPART
Press Coverage
Eastern Daily Press – October 12th 2024 Food security conference planned for Norfolk students – Chris Hill
A “ground-breaking” food security conference next month will give Norfolk students a chance to debate and understand important farming issues.
The free event at the John Innes Centre, on the Norwich Research Park, on November 20 is billed as an “unmissable opportunity” for sixth form and college students to explore “one of the most critical global challenges of our time”.
Hosted by the Food and Farming Discovery Trust (FFDT), the education arm of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, it will feature expert speakers with insights into the future of food production, as well as potential career opportunities.
Topics will range from soil health and water management to evolving farming and land use strategies.
The event aims to “spark curiosity, inspire action, and offer students the chance to think critically about how we feed the world”.
Organisers said: “Whether students are future scientists, policymakers, or simply have an interest in the future of food, this conference is a must-attend for anyone wanting to understand the key issues shaping our world.”
FFDT manager Frances Roberson added: “We are delighted to host our first food security conference, exclusively for the sixth form and post-16 college students of Norfolk.
“This is set to be a really exciting day with a range of fascinating talks. We really want to highlight to the students the reality of food production, especially here in the UK, and get them thinking more about where and how their food is produced.”
The Food Security Conference takes place on Wednesday November 20 at the JIC Conference Centre in Norwich. The free event, funded by the Clan Trust, includes refreshments and lunch for students and staff.
Bookings are now open for sixth forms and colleges, with a deadline of November 4. For more information and to register for tickets, see food-security-conference
What do you think are the three biggest challenges in farming?
Post conference student survey results…
Post conference student survey results continued…
What do you think are the three biggest challenges in farming now?
Food Security Conference Summary
We were pleased with the interest shown in the event by sixth forms, colleges, students andthe wider industry professionals alike. We believe that there are no other similar events inNorfolk to cater specifically for this demographic and are pleased to be able to fill this gap inprovision of agricultural education. Targeting the event at 16-18 year old students wasintentional, as they are towards the end of their mandatory education. Some will soon beliving independently from parents or guardians, and we hope to have influenced their buyingchoices for food in the future. The conference also highlights the variety in agriculture interms of careers, which students may still be in the process of making choices regarding. Wewould very much like to continue to run this event again in the future.We were pleased with the interest shown in the event by sixth forms, colleges, students and the wider industry professionals alike. We believe that there are no other similar events in Norfolk to cater specifically for this demographic and are pleased to be able to fill this gap in provision of agricultural education. Targeting the event at 16-18 year old students was intentional, as they are towards the end of their mandatory education. Some will soon be living independently from parents or guardians, and we hope to have influenced their buying choices for food in the future. The conference also highlights the variety in agriculture in terms of careers, which students may still be in the process of making choices regarding. We would very much like to continue to run this event again in the future.
Thankyou to the JIC conference centre for hosting us, and a huge thank you to our billiant speakers:
Conference Chair – Jeremy Buxton, Eves Hill FarmConference Chair – Jeremy Buxton, Eves Hill Farm Gabby George, Westover Vets James Beales, Greshams Caroline Seaman, The Joy of Food Jimmy Goodley, JG Farm Services Josh Dewing, Dewing Grain Jaco Olivier, Greenhouse Growers Dr Shannon Woodhouse, JIC
Without whom the day would not have been possible. Thank you to the contributors prior to the conference who offered their opinions and advice.
Finally we would like to thank the Clan Trust for their generous funding.Report prepared by Frances Roberson, Trust Manager.