Farms fail to attract urban teens

A new survey of teenagers living in New Zealand's cities and regional towns has found 81% admitting they know only "a little" or "nothing at all" about these topics.

The research – commissioned by agricultural banking specialist Rabobank – also revealed 8% of urban teenagers surveyed had never been on a farm, while a further 35% had only visited a farm three or less times in their life. However, most of the teens still perceived farming and food production as "extremely" or "very important" to the nation.

Just 2% of teenagers surveyed considered themselves to know "a great deal" about farming and food production, with 17% saying they knew "quite a bit".

Conducted by research consultancy Key Research, the Rabobank Farm Experience Urban Youth Research surveyed close to 600 students aged 16 to 18, from major New Zealand cities and regional towns – and currently attending public and private schools.

Rabobank New Zealand analyst, Emma Higgins says the survey found a concerning knowledge gap among the younger generation when it came to agriculture and farming, and highlighted the disconnect between urban and rural New Zealand.

"The results were particularly surprising given the significance of agriculture in the country's economy and also the relatively close proximity of rural regions to our major cities, where you would expect more engagement between city people in rural environments," she says.

Higgins says the research had been commissioned as the bank, and its network of six Client Councils across New Zealand, had a significant concern that the next generation of New Zealanders may not appreciate the importance of agriculture to the nation's economy and future. "It is also vital that we help bridge the divide between urban and rural communities to attract young people to work in agriculture and support the sector's future," she said.

From paddock to plate

The Rabobank survey showed 20% of surveyed teenagers "don't really know anything" about "how food gets from the farm to my plate", while 52% said they knew only "a little".

Higgins said while there was generally low awareness of the food production process among the teenagers, the level of knowledge tailed off once produce and ingredients had left the farm.

"In terms of farm activity, 27% said they 'know nothing' about what farmers needed to do to grow ingredients and produce, while 46% said they knew 'a little bit' about it," she said. "And when it comes to what happens to the ingredients and produce once they leave the farm, 33% of respondents said they 'don't know anything' about this and 48% only knew 'a little bit'."

Unsurprisingly, knowledge and understanding of farming and food production was considerably higher among the students who had spent more time on farms, Higgins said. "Those who had visited farms six or more times in their lives reported being considerably more knowledgeable about food production," she said.

Key findings:

· 81% of surveyed teens say they know only a little or nothing about farming and food production.

· 8% have never been on a farm, while a further 35 per cent have visited a farm three or less times in their life.

· 72% don't know anything, or know just a little, about how food gets from farm to plate.

· More than 90%, however, perceive farming and food production as very important to New Zealand.

· Just 10% are interested in a career in farming, however this is still higher than law and a number of other professions.