The Wales Federation of YFC is once again developing the organisations presence at the Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival to be held on the weekend of May 21 and 22 at the Royal Welsh Showground Builth Wells by building on the success of its activities held in 2010.

Informal educational activities will be focused around the Wales YFC centre, the permanent home of the movement in Wales.

Visitors to the festival will be encouraged to call by the centre and to take part in interactive activities led by YFC staff and volunteer officers.

Activities this year look set to include giving young people the opportunity to start growing their own vegetables in recycled pots that they will have the chance to make on site - raising both the awareness of home grown food as well as the importance of recycling. Healthy breakfasts will also be promoted as an excellent way to kick start any day and interesting facts and figures will be on display at the stand.

A new added attraction at this year’s festival will be the presence of YFC clubs from all over Wales taking part in the popular Community and environment Challenge. The annual challenge, supported by the Countryside Council of Wales, challenges YFC members to initiate and complete projects in their local communities that will enhance their local environments. Small grants are awarded to assist all clubs that take part in the challenge and final interviews and presentations with a panel of expert judges will take place at the festival along with the announcement of the 2011 Community and environment Champion. Previous entries into the challenge have included developing gardens within schools, recording the history of clubs and providing homes with their grid reference to be placed by phones should they need the emergency services.

For the younger members of the family, Tiff and Taff the organisation’s faithful mascots will be out and about to greet young children and are very photogenic for photo opportunities.

The presence at the festival gives young people, as well as parents and those interested in volunteering the opportunity to learn more about the leading rural youth movement in the country and gives those interested a chance to be involved in this ever popular and developing organisation.

Ten facts you did not know about Wales YFC Over 160 YFC clubs operate throughout Wales, all led by volunteers.

Over 6,000 young people aged between ten and 26 are currently members of the YFC in Wales with approximately 220,000 members over its 75 year history.

It’s not just about farming – Young People from all backgrounds are welcomed to join the organisation between the ages of ten and 26.

As part of the YFC you can take part in an array of activities from international group volunteering and individual travel opportunities through to website design and event organisation.

Wales YFC has recently been successful in receiving an award from Rural Youth Europe for its innovative lamb processing scheme, supporting young people taking their first steps in agriculture.

Young people are able to accredit the work they do within the YFC via OCN’s and Duke of Edinburgh to name a few examples.

YFC is not just for Wales. Clubs operate throughout the country, as well as Europe and the world.

Every club is a registered charity in its own right, with young people responsible for all the decisions and management of the club, with support from its county federation office.

Each year Wales YFC organises a “Young Peoples Village”. Run alongside the Royal Welsh Show, the Village offers camping facilities and a music festival throughout the duration of the show.

Over 50 per cent of the memberships in Wales are first language welsh speakers, with many activities and events put on throughout the year to support those wanting to develop their skills in the Welsh language.

Wales YFC is the leading rural youth movement in Wales, with clubs providing a meeting place, support and a range of activities for the young people who live in areas with limited facilities for young people.

There is a wealth of opportunities for YFC members including the opportunity to travel the world, meet new friends, compete in a variety of competitions and activities and voice their opinions on important issues.

For more information regarding the organisation please contact the Wales YFC Centre on 01982 553502 or visit the website on www.yfc-wales.org.uk