25/01/12 Kent County Agricultural Society - Student incentive to join

Students and members of Kent Young Farmers are being encouraged to join Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS) by taking advantage of a new membership discount, which includes free entry to the Kent County Show.

The KCAS, formed in 1923 to stage the Kent County Show, is a pioneering charity promoting farming and horticulture throughout the county. Students in full-time education up to the age of 21 and young farmer members can join the society for only £18 a year – compared to the usual £50 membership.

Membership entitles holders to:

• Free admission to all three days of the Kent County Show – held July 13, 14 and 15 in 2012
• Free admission to the members’ facilities during the show, including the Members’ Restaurant, Grandstands and rest rooms
• Free parking in members’ car park during the show
• Discounts at specified agricultural suppliers
• Discounted entry to other events at Kent Showground

George Jessel, KCAS chairman, said: “We hope this excellent discount will encourage more young people to become members of the society. Agriculture and horticulture play hugely important roles in the life of the county and young people represent the future of these roles. We are also keen to get some new young volunteers to steward at the annual Kent County Show.”

The society is keen to support young people who would like to make a career in agriculture, horticulture or rural industry within the county. It presents the Hooson Award, a £500 bursary to assist the successful student to pay for their studies.

It also presents the Irene Lady Astor Award – named after the society’s president – of £200 to the ‘Best Kent Young Farmer’ for the year. To qualify nominees must be paid up members of a Kent Young Farmers Club.

KCAS hosts The Living Land at the Kent Showground, a free one-day event which attracts more than 3,000 schoolchildren aged 7 to 9. It aims to educate children in the areas of farming, agriculture, the countryside and healthy eating.

It also supports Farming Futures, an event which gives students an idea of the variety of careers within the land-based sector.

For further information on memberships, call 01622 630975 or email info@kentshowground.co.uk.

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