UK Teen Survey Reveals Attitudes Towards Food and Farming

A 12-month program commissioned by LEAF Education with support from Rothamsted Research surveyed 1,000 12 to 18-year olds in the United Kingdom and interviews with 60 teenagers at a ‘Teenager Empowerment' event attended by LEAF's Honorary President, HRH The Countess of Wessex in September.

More than 75 percent of the teenagers who participated in the survey strongly believe that science and innovation are the key to a sustainable future for farming. A high percentage (87%) of survey participants agreed that young people should be more interested in how food is produced and where food comes from, with 41% firmly believing it.

Professor Angela Karp, Director for Science Innovation, Engagement and Partnerships at Rothamsted Research said she hoped the research will help shape new strategies and priorities for the food and farming sectors to more effectively connect with young people. She added, "Today's teenagers are the farmers, consumers – and scientists – of tomorrow, and what they think about farming will have a huge impact on the wider industry over the coming years, including implications for the future of research institutions such as Rothamsted."

For more details, read the news release from Rothamsted Research.