Kaleb Cooper, the farming contractor who shot to fame on Prime Video’s hit series, Clarkson’s Farm, kicked off National Young Farmers’ Week (9-13 October) by announcing his winner of The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ (NFYFC) EIEIO video challenge.
Lowdham Young Farmers’ Club in Nottinghamshire were revealed as the winners for their Reel that promotes the importance of following the Countryside Code and respecting the British countryside.
NFYFC launched the challenge earlier this year, asking Young Farmers’ Clubs to record a Reel or TikTok that showcased their connection to British food, farming and the countryside. Kaleb Cooper judged all the entries and announced the winning video at the start of National Young Farmers’ Week, which is sponsored by Tama.
The winning club receives 15 free tickets to Kaleb’s new tour and signed copies of his second book, Britain According to Kaleb (out October 2023). Two of the winning club’s members are also invited to attend Valley Fest 2024, courtesy of Yeo Valley.
The winning video starts by showing young people disrespecting the countryside, but then quickly highlights the impact of their actions. Kaleb Cooper said he liked the shock tactics the winning video used to explain the importance of the Countryside Code.
Kaleb said in a recorded message:
A huge congratulations to all the videos that have been posted to the EIEIO Challenge, they were all amazing and it was incredibly hard picking a winner. I just wanted to announce that I have chosen Lowdham Young Farmers. I think their video was absolutely amazing showing the general public how to treat the countryside. It was perfectly put together for your emotions watching it. First off when they’re throwing litter on the floor you got angry, but then later on in the video it shows you picking the litter up and how to respect the countryside. They've done a really good job.
Hats off to everyone else who sent a video in. I really enjoyed taking part in this.
The winning club will now be going to see Kaleb Cooper at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham next February. Club Chair Jessica Spencer from Lowdham YFC said:
"We’re delighted to have won this exciting competition! Our members are over the moon that Kaleb loved the way we promoted looking after our British Countryside by following the Countryside Code.
"We wanted to create a fun and entertaining video which shows our club teamwork and Young Farmer spirit, but also get across an important and informative message to the viewer. We made the video at one of our weekly meetings with some of our members and I edited the video for us!
"We’re all so excited to be able to go and see Kaleb on tour in our home town of Nottingham!"
Kaleb also highly commended Collingham YFC, Presteigne YFC and Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs as runners up for their entries. They will each receive a signed copy of Kaleb’s new book.
All members of Young Farmers’ Clubs can also get a discount on tickets to Kaleb’s tour, which starts in January 2024. Discount information is available on the NFYFC website.
National Young Farmers’ Week, sponsored by Tama, ran from 9-13 October 2023 and celebrated the organisation and its support of rural young people, as well as the role YFC plays in rural communities and the industry.
