CONTEST SERIES

FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year

Welcome to the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year!

If you're a secondary school student interested in agriculture, this Contest is for you! This competition lets you dive into farming, test your skills, and meet others who share your passion.

Register Now

TBC October 2025

Regional Final Registrations Open

Compete in teams of two, $10 per team
Registrations are open to those between the age of 13 and 18
Registrations close 11:59 pm the Sunday before the event
Find Out More and Register

February - April 2026

Regional Finals

Seven Regional Final Contests around New Zealand.
Top two teams from each Region move to the Grand Final
More Info
Register Now

July 2026

Grand Final

Two-day competition. 2025 Grand Final to be held in TBC, July 2026.
Winners are crowned FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year.
Find Out More

FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year

What can I expect?

This is a nationwide competition designed for high school students. You'll face practical and theory-based challenges that teach you more about farming and let you show off your skills.

Whether you aim to take over the family farm, pursue a career in agribusiness, or simply want to learn more about the industry, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved.

Gain hands-on experience in various aspects of farming, from livestock management to environmental stewardship.
Compete against other students from across the country, and show what you’re made of!
Discover the diverse career opportunities within the agricultural sector and start building your network.
Work in teams of two to solve complex challenges, building teamwork and leadership skills.

Why should I get involved?

Hands-On Learning

Learn more about the world of agriculture.

Recognition

Be recognised as one of the top young agricultural minds in New Zealand.

Prizes

Compete for some amazing prizes thanks to our sponsor family.

Have fun!

Enjoy the experience, make new friends, and have a great time!

Our Sponsor Family

Frequently asked questions

I need more info about how the Contest works

An FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year team consists of two people, and the entry fee is $10 a team. There is no level of knowledge or experience required to enter a team into the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest. Whilst being a contest, it is also an educational opportunity to dust up on some new skills or just have a go!

All Regional Final teams complete seven modules for a score out of 350 points. From there, the five highest-scoring teams go head-to-head in a buzzer-style quiz called the Face-Off. The top two teams after the Face-Off will be crowned the Regional winners and will qualify to represent their region at the Grand Final.

All teams will receive their round start time in the form of a timetable and their tips and tricks for the modules in the week leading up to the contest. This information will include all details regarding the event.

For an idea of what kind of tasks to expect, please look at our family of sponsors and think about the challenges they might set.

There is also a Module Topic Library here which provides some ideas of what MIGHT be in modules, but this is an educational resource rather than a guide to go by.

The top two teams from each Regional Event are invited to compete at the Grand Final, alongside AgriKids and FMG Young Farmer of the Year contestants.

How many people are in a team?

A team is two people.

What are the tasks at Regional Finals?

All teams complete seven modules for a score out of 350 points. From there, the five highest-scoring teams go head-to-head in a buzzer-style quiz called the face-off.

To get an idea on the topics you could be tested on at a Regional Final, click here.

How much does it cost to enter a team?

There’s a $10 entry fee per team.

How do I register a team?

You can register a team on the NZYF website here. Entries close at 11:59 pm the Sunday prior to the event.

Entries usually open each year mid-October.

Registrations have sold out, can I join a waitlist?

Yes, you can join the waitlist. We will notify you if a place opens up and you’ll have 48 hours to enter a team. There is room for 35 teams per Regional Final.

I missed the deadline, can I still enter a team?

If registrations are closed, please get in touch with the NZYF team here.

How can we prepare for the contest?

All teams will receive some “tips & tricks” in the week leading up to the contest. Also, take a look at our family of sponsors and think about what challenges they might set.

You can also click here to see some of the topics from past years.

When do we know what round our team is in?

Every team will receive event information in the week leading up to the event, including what time they will be competing. Round allocation is based on the distance between a team’s school and the Contest venue.

I’m enrolled in a tertiary training programme – can I enter the contest?

The FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year contest is only open to students currently enrolled in High School.

If you're studying in tertiary education, including land-based training, the best option is to join NZYF and enter the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest.

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