Get growing to win a farm visit and funds for your gardening projects

By Jake Wiid · 19 Mar 2026

Get growing to win a farm visit and funds for your gardening projects

Primary schools across the UK are being invited to take part in a newly launched carrot growing competition organised by the British Carrot Growers’ Association (BGCA) with Elsoms Seeds. The aim is to inspire children to plant, harvest, and create menu ideas using carrots, while nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and connection to the environment.

The winning school team will receive a downloadable digital certificate, a £200 National Garden Gift Card, and a fully-funded farm visit where students will meet with a farmer and discover more about growing carrots on a farm scale.

Farm visits provide an excellent opportunity for learning beyond the classroom, helping children gain a better understanding of where their food comes from and how it is grown and harvested.These may be residential visits to farms like those run by Farms for City Children, or more local visits to a nearby farm – popular at lambing and harvest seasons.

image: Farms for City Children Educational Visit

From the archives: A Breath of Fresh Air - read about Farms for City Children Educational Visits here.

Growing competitions like this one can be great motivators for children and teachers. They provide a focus for gardening clubs and are ideal for schools with outdoor space or nearby allotments to visit.

Rodger Hobson, Chairman at BCGA says

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“We want to offer children a fun way to get curious about carrots – how to grow them and the many creative ways to eat and cook with them.”

Martin Strickson, Elsoms Seeds says

“The objective is to increase national awareness of carrots as a British crop, particularly through encouraging children to get outdoors, increase their understanding of where their food comes from and get creative at mealtimes with carrots.

“Together with the British Carrot Growers' Association, we are creating a supportive, experiential learning experience to connect children with the environment, nutrition and to stimulate the joy of growing food.”

The competition requires schools to submit a carrot growing diary, a three-course carrot themed menu, and a photo from their carrot harvest celebration.

Find out more about the competition and how to apply here.