Young Farmers Idea Contest

Through the Young Farmers Idea Contest, the African diaspora and volunteers alike are invited to share their ideas on new ways to engage youths in sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 18 through educational projects, community-building initiatives, and social programs, all centered around agriculture and farming.
We want to hear what you have to say. 
At Africa Rural Connect, we believe that collaboration is the key to developing the best ideas for Africa. Add your experience and expertise to the insights of thousands of professionals, experts, and likeminded individuals and organizations the world. Together we can build and enhance project plans that could have a real-world impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Young Farmers Contest Selection Criteria

The top 10 ideas from endorsements will go to the Leaderboard above and will be sent to a panel of judges who will evaluate the top ideas identifying those they feel are the most original, creative, practical, scalable and likely to be successfully implemented.

Ideas submitted to the Young Farmers Idea Contest can run the gamut from improving youth agricultural education and training, to increasing youths’ access to finances and land, to supporting youth farming organization. You may designate your idea under standard Africa Rural Connect themes such as water resources, agribusiness, post-harvest losses/storage, transportation and infrastructure, and communication methods.

When is the Young Farmers Contest?
The current Young Farmers Idea Contest runs from April 15 - May 31, 2012.

Young Farmers Contest Prizes

Qualified contestants will be eligible to win first, second and third place. The first place winner receives a cash prize of $5,000 and if the winner is based in the U.S. they will also win roundtrip airfare and lodging to the NPCA annual gathering in Minneapolis June 29 -July 1, 2012; the second place winner receives a cash prize of $2,500; and the third place winner receives a cash prize of $1,000.

How do I get involved in idea generation?
Post your idea. Africa Rural Connect is an interactive network; you can participate in a number of ways. If you have an idea for a project plan in rural Africa- post it! Members of the Africa Rural Connect community will support your plan by offering their expertise, pledging resources, and adding visibility of your project through endorsements.
You can do your part to help develop other plans as well, putting your skills to use in a variety of projects across the continent. Offer your challenges or solutions, small or large, creative or practical, and see what happens.
Get your friends and colleagues to join the Africa Rural Connect Community to support your idea and make it even better. The support of Africa Rural Connect community members could help you win a prize!
Keep checking the Leader Board above to find out what plans are getting the most attention from the Community. 
What if I don't have an idea – but I like some of the others?
Anyone with a profile on the Africa Rural Connect community website can rate a post by clicking “Endorse this Idea,” if he/she thinks that the proposal merits it. Get your friends and colleagues to join the Africa Rural Connect Community to endorse your favorite idea and make it even better so that it wins a Round! Keep checking the Leader Board above to find out what plans are getting the most attention from the Community. 
The ideas that garner the most collaboration and engagement with the Africa Rural Connect community will likely grow into the strongest plans- potentially winning prize money and receiving international exposure. So get involved and spread the word to the people you know who care about rural Africa!
Official Contest Rules