FFDT Food Security Conference 2024 Report

Food Security Conference Wednesday 20th November 2024 Project Report Food & Farming Discovery Trust

PROJECT INFORMATION AIMS The Food Security Conference aimed 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 were:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

By achieving these objectives, we helped 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.

SUMMARY 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 agriculture. 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 Six Form College Easton College Fakenham Academy Sixth Form Gresham’s School Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Wymondham High School Sixth Form.

Sixth form and college staff were responsible for booking students spaces at the conference, however although there was the option for individual students to apply to attend, if their sixth form or college was not participating, this was not 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 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 12:50 – 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 https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24636673.food-security-conferenceplanned-norfolk-students/ 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 ffdt.co.uk/explore/food-securityconference.

Comments from students before the day...

Students were asked to fill in a survey before attending the conference, but it must be noted that this was not mandatory and as a result, the results may be biaised by students attending from one particular college.

Demographics & Career Interests

55.6%

40%

74.1% Students from an agricultural background

wish to attend university

The rest are looking to work or travel

Students considering a career in agriculture

Food Awareness and Preferences 77%

22%

find it important to know where their food comes from

unaware of seasonal or local food

93% are concerned about food security in the UK

92%

59%

describe themselves as omnivores

follow farming accounts on social media

6/10

81%

67%

did not know what Red Tractor is

How students rate UK agriculture 0%

4%

26%

26%

follow cooking accounts on social media

15%

are interested in cooking

rate their agricultural knowledge 6 or above

74%

44%

Pre - conference survey results continued...

What do you think are the three biggest challenges in farming?

Post conference student survey results...

Students were asked to fill in a survey before leaving the conference, and was also passed to teachers immediately after the conference to ensure student feedback was recorded.

94%

100%

84%

84%

20

Students are now considering a career in agriculture - an increase of 9%

Feel they know more about agriculture

Enjoyed the conference

0

83%

40

60

84

16

80

100

100%

of students now rate their knowledge of agriculture of 6 out of 10 or higher - an increase of 17%

100% know what Red Tractor is

Want to learn more about agriculture

100%

are concerned about food security in the UK

Post conference student survey results continued...

What do you think are the three biggest challenges in farming?

How students rate UK agriculture 0%

6%

17%

28%

50%

Post conference teacher survey results 100%

100%

Would bring students again

Satisfied with communication, venue & refreshments

How did teachers rate the conference overall?

4.8!

Most popular session for all attendees?

Session 1 - Regenerative Livestock Gaby George, Westover Farm Vets Session 4 - Soil Health Jimmy Goodley, J G Farm Services

Session 5 Imports, Exports & Food Standards Josh Dewing, Dewing Grain

FOOD SECURITY CONFERENCE SUMMARY 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.

Thank you to the JIC Conference Centre for hosting us, and a huge thank you to our brilliant speakers: Conference 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 Andrew Spinks, Brown & Co. 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, FFDT