More than 300 students took part last year in the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges, and organisers are hoping for even more this year.
The event, set up by the New Zealand Rural Games Trust to support youth studying horticulture and agriculture, will make its first appearance at the Ashburton A&P Show in November.
It was formerly held at the New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch.
Ashburton A&P Show president Ben Stock said the Clash of the Colleges was about encouraging the next generation into the food and fibre sectors.
It is a fast-paced, amazing racestyle competition giving students hands-on experience in various aspects of the rural sector.
Teams of four compete in 16 hands-on modules within oneand-a-half hours, all run by experts and members of local Young Farmer Clubs.
It will be emceed by agriedutainment creator Tangaroa Walker from Farm 4 Life.
Modules include artificial insemination, ATV safety and wheel change, tree identification, break fencing, irrigation set up, drenching, mussel buoy knot tying, wool identification, gumboot throwing and sulky racing.
‘‘Our region is New Zealand’s food basket and it’s essential we support the next generation into the sector,” Stock said.
‘‘We’re excited to welcome students and their families from across Canterbury, the West Coast and North Otago to the 2024 Clash of the Colleges.”
‘‘This event allows teens to improve their skills and have a lot of fun doing it. It’s a chance for them to come together, learn, compete, and network.’’
Agri Futures general manager, and event organiser, Daniel O’Regan said the event, in its third year, created opportunities within the education and employment sectors throughout New Zealand.
‘‘Agri Futures also creates inschool modules to support teachers and students studying agriculture and horticulture. These modules supplement the existing curriculum, providing additional resources and handson learning opportunities.’’
Scholarships for rural students looking to study food and fibre post-school, and rural sporting athletes, would be offered later this month, he said.
‘‘Due to the cancellation of the NZ Agricultural Show, we have partnered with the Ashburton A&P Show to bring the 2024 Canterbury Clash of the Colleges,’’ he said.
‘‘More than 300 students from across Canterbury competed in last year’s clash, and we hope to see similar participation at the Ashburton A&P Show.’’
Schools can register online at agrifutures.kiwi
O’Regan said this year, scoring had been adjusted so that physical modules like gumboot throwing and sulky racing would receive participation points only.
He said the change focused on essential skills needed in food and fibre, and created an even playing field for boys’ and girls’ teams.
