TLU SA Launches Youth Farmer of the Year Competition for School Learners

TLU SA is set to expand its successful Young Farmer of the Year competition with the launch of a brand-new Youth Farmer of the Year category for school learners in 2026.

The initiative is designed to give young people the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and sense of responsibility through practical agriculture and food-based projects while still at school.

According to Bennie van Zyl, General Manager of TLU SA, the organisation has seen first-hand how impactful the Young Farmer of the Year platform has become in highlighting the talent, innovation and potential of young people in agriculture.

“The TLU SA Young Farmer of the Year has, year after year, proven to be a powerful platform to showcase young people’s talent and innovation,” says Van Zyl. “We see great value in extending these opportunities to schools and exposing children from a young age to the principles of sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship.”

The new Youth Farmer of the Year competition will focus on nurturing problem-solving ability, creative thinking and accountability, even on a small scale. The programme aims to show learners that agriculture is not only about owning or operating large farms, but also about ideas, planning, innovation and sustainable action that can create real value within communities.

Van Zyl says the initiative is about helping children understand, from an early age, how to turn ideas into action while building a strong sense of responsibility.

“It is important to us that children learn early how to apply ideas in practice and take responsibility,” he says. “This project is a step towards inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders in agriculture.”

The competition will officially launch in 2026 and is expected to become an exciting new platform for schools and young people to showcase their agricultural ideas, practical skills and entrepreneurial thinking to a wider audience.

Learners, schools and parents are encouraged to find out more about the competition and entry process. Please note that all participants who are minors must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian, including consent for the use of photographs and video content for media and promotional purposes.

Click here to read more about the Youth Farmer of the Year competition and how to enter.