What We Do
Chalk To Fork
Chalk to Fork is an Educational Programme for everyone, young and old, provided by Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society. We are a registered charity.
Listed below are some of the many activities, events and age groups our charity helps and supports. You can find out more about each by visiting our dedicated pages. If you would like to be involved or require any further information, please contact our Education Officer in the first instance.
Education
A recent survey conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation revealed 1 in 5 school children aged 5 to 11 believe fish fingers are made from chicken, cheese comes from a plant, pasta grows on trees and it takes ten years to grow a carrot, which is really alarming!
Farming Challenge Awards – Our projects provide a hands on, practical experience and teach children how to grow their own food. Children learn what plants need to grow and thrive. The excitement on the faces of children as they plant seeds and seedlings and harvest their produce is a joy to behold. We have over twenty exciting projects to select from for Primary to Secondary age groups, ranging from Grow You Own Pizza Garden to growing some simple salad crops Hydroponically (without soil) ? Every child who participates receives a Farming Challenge Award certificate and pin badge.
Careers Events – We support schools by delivering exciting presentations in assemblies, classroom activities and at careers fairs; to raise awareness about career opportunities within the farming sector and other related industries such as horticulture, artisan food production, environmental, etc.
Farming Careers
Some people find the idea of a career in the farming industry hilarious! They think it is all mud and wellies and ploughing a tractor up and down a field all day, but modern day farming is an exciting global industry using cutting edge technology.
Career Opportunities – The average age of a farmer is now and 60,000 new people are required to work in the farming industry within the next ten years. The variety of job opportunities is immense, with average salaries exceeding the national average, and you don’t need to come from a farming family.
Work Experience – We help to find placements for anyone interested in a career in farming or a related trade, regardless of age or background.
Agricultural Education Development Grants – Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society gives financial assistance in support of our charity’s objectives, which are to promote primary agriculture and related industries.
Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeships – Our charity also supports apprenticeships for young engineers aged 17 – 25, with a bursary of £500 to assist them financially with their careers.
Community
Our charity, Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society supports our local community by engaging and working together with schools, organisations, councils, trusts and other charities.
Speaking Engagements – If you belong to a club or organisation and would like our Education Officer to visit you and give a talk, we have several interesting presentations, containing lots of photographs and exciting videos; and no bullet points or animations! We do not charge for our talks, although we are always grateful for any voluntary donations to support our charity’s Education Project.
Unemployed – We help to find work experience placements and source job opportunities in the farming industry, for the unemployed of any age, in Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties.
Small Shows Conference – Every year we host a conference and workshops to support and share best practice and ideas with smaller Agricultural shows. We also help out in practical ways too, such as loaning equipment.
Our Shows
Our charity, Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, are fortunate and have managed to survive for over 200 years, where sadly other agricultural societies have disappeared. We stage three shows every year on our own showground at Newark. When you visit any of our shows you are also supporting our charity and the work we do in our community.
Nottinghamshire County Show – A wonderful day out for the entire family, young and old. Children under 17 years have FREE entry. There is so much to see and do with more attractions every year.
Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show – With over 1,000 vintage tractors and vehicles on display this is a fabulous event, held over the second weekend in November. You will find craft stalls and artisan makers demonstrating their skills and our special Sunday Remembrance Service is very popular. Children under 17 years have FREE entry.
Midlands Machinery Show – FREE entry for everyone to this flagship event, with over 300 stand and dealers showcasing the latest in cutting edge technology and farm machinery.
Can You Help Us?
We are always looking for volunteers and help from individuals, organisations and companies to help us in our charitable work. Any offer of your time or money is never too small and will always be very much appreciated and gratefully received. Please contact our Education Officer in the first instance.
VOLUNTEER – We are always grateful for a helping hand. It could be stewarding at the Nottinghamshire County Show once a year, or perhaps you may have more time on your hands and are able to support our Farming Challenge Award food growing projects? We welcome offers from local farmers who are able to provide work experience placements or farm visits.
SPONSORSHIP – Would you like to help a young person at the start of their career? We have opportunities to sponsor our Agricultural Education Development Grants and Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship Awards.
DONATIONS – We are always grateful for any donations towards our Education Programme no matter how small. Every little helps us to provide much needed resources to children and young people.
Please contact our Education Officer in the first instance.
CHALK TO FORK
A Community Education Programme for young and old, part of the charitable work of
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society - founded 1799
Registered Charity No: 514080
