The YFC Scarecrow Challenge

This National Young Farmers' Week, we're calling on all our clubs to create a scarecrow scene in a public place that helps promote your YFC.

We want your scenes to reflect the spirit of YFC and how your club belongs to your rural community – through your many acts of kindness locally and the support you give to rural young people.

Let's spread a lot of joy this National Young Farmers' Week and help raise awareness of all the great work YFCs do!

This year's Scarecrow Challenge judge is farmer and TV presenter Dave Nicholson from Cannon Hall Farm. Dave is a regular on Springtime on the Farm and The Yorkshire Vet and also appeared on the flagship Channel 5 programme The Great Yorkshire Show.

How to get involved

1. Choose a location in your local community (for example the village green or a farm gate that's visible locally).
2. Ensure you have permission from your parish council, relevant authority or landowner to build your scene in your chosen location.
3. Get everyone in the club involved in planning your idea and building the scene – easy activities for all ages at club meetings!
4. Source materials that will withstand the elements! As we move into autumn, the weather might not be as kind on your displays.
5. Ensure your scene includes a YFC logo and any club branding and shows off YFC positively.
6. Think about how you will share the message of belonging and how it will positively promote your club. You could also use your scene to promote your new members' night, for example. Scenes should include at least two scarecrows and show a clear message.
7. Make sure to photograph your finished scarecrow scene and share the photo with NFYFC. We have created an online form for you to upload your entries. If you can include some club members in one of your photos that would be great too – but please confirm everyone involved in the photos has approved for it to be used for publicity on social media and in the press! Tip: Why not be creative and record the build of your scarecrow using a timelapse setting on your phone's camera?
8. Share your scarecrow scene on social media during National Young Farmers' Week and tag @NFYFC so we can share it wider too.
9. And don’t forget to make plans for clearing away your scarecrow scenes, at least a month after they have been displayed or in the time frame agreed with those responsible for where it is displayed.

How to enter

Submit your photos and or videos using our entry form before or during National Young Farmers’ Week (5-9 October) for a chance to be entered into our competition where the club with the best scarecrow scene will win a prize!

All entries must be submitted by Friday 9 October 2026 to be entered into the competition.

Promote your scarecrows

During National Young Farmers' Week, remember to also post your photos on social media and tag @NFYFC on Instagram, Facebook or @nationalYoungFarmersUK on TikTok and use the hashtag #BelongAtYFC. You can also email photos to media@nfyfc.org.uk for NFYFC to share for you.