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Farmcraft® Connections 2024

Farmcraft® is an educational program that uses Minecraft to enhance the understanding of the challenges faced by agricultural producers and distributors around the world. The program is open to all ages but is designed to supplement the learning of students ranging from 8-18 years of age.

Farmcraft® is a challenge using the popular game of Minecraft. It focuses on food trade, food security, and alternative methods of agriculture. Participants will join a virtual challenge while learning about the choices that farmers must make before even planting their crops!

Farmcraft® Connections will include 2 virtual exchange opportunities, a build challenge, and a challenge in a custom Farmcraft® world to connect different biomes, providing food from one region to residents of another.

REGISTER

Farmcraft® Connections 2024

Farmcraft® is an educational program that uses Minecraft to enhance the understanding of the challenges faced by agricultural producers and distributors around the world. The program is open to all ages but is designed to supplement the learning of students ranging from 8-18 years of age.

Farmcraft® is a challenge using the popular game of Minecraft. It focuses on food trade, food security, and alternative methods of agriculture. Participants will join a virtual challenge while learning about the choices that farmers must make before even planting their crops!

Farmcraft® Connections will include 2 virtual exchange opportunities, a build challenge, and a challenge in a custom Farmcraft® world to connect different biomes, providing food from one region to residents of another.

REGISTER

Challenge #1

To feed a growing human population, farmers must make decisions regarding where and how to distribute food to various markets. The distance between the farm and the market is not always short.

Research the types of transportation used to distribute produce to markets in your area. Build, narrate, and submit a Minecraft world that demonstrates your learning, displays your understanding, and educates others on food transportation in your area.

Some questions to consider when researching and developing your build:

  • How does produce get from farms to my local markets?
  • How far do certain types of produce have to travel to arrive at local markets?
  • What is the connection between food transportation and climate change?
  • What challenges does food transportation face and what are some of the current solutions to these challenges?

Challenge #2

In this challenge, you will use a custom Farmcraft map. Download the map using this guide.

Using the NASEF Farmcraft map in Minecraft Education, work with your teammates to FEED the Desert Biome. Using the Non-playable Characters (NPCs) as guides, consider the resources you need to successfully identify your seeds, grow and harvest your crops, and ship your products to the Desert Biome. Complete this task TWICE. The first time, GROW your crops using LEAST AMOUNT OF TECHNOLOGY (use manual processes). The second time, MAXIMIZE THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY (machines, drones, etc...).

In your video or written diary, recap your team's experience with the following questions:

  • What were the two outcomes of challenge? Which playthrough had a lower Unit Cost and why?
  • How did these two methods affect your Climate, Cost, and Crop Losses?
  • What can your team do differently next time to produce a better score based on this information?
SUBMIT CHALLENGE

Timeline of events

Oct. 1, 2024 - Dec. 12, 2024

Registration

November 12, 2024
December 12, 2024

Virtual Exchange Call

December 12, 2024

Both Challenges Due

Farmcraft® Archives

Image Description

Farmcraft® 2024

Thank you to all the participants who joined us for Farmcraft® 2024! Farmcraft® 2024 was focused on the impact of digital technology on agricultural productivity.  Many of the agricultural productivity increases in the last few decades have directly resulted from the adaptation and adoption of digital technologies to farming! View this season's page which includes the new world download, winners, educator lessons, previous livestreams and more! 

View the Farmcraft® 2024 page

Farmcraft® 2021

This first season of Farmcraft® was focused on applying and adapting agricultural production techniques in different unique environmental biomes. 

View the Farmcraft® 2021 page

Farmcraft® 2022

The theme for 2022 was climate change, environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.  

View the Farmcraft® 2022 page

Farmcraft® 2023

The theme for 2023 was focused on food trade and food security, asking the question “What happens to food once it leaves the farm?” Participants will learn about the choices that farmers must make before even planting their crops, thinking about which crops to grow, who will eat the crops, where the crops must be sent, and how to deliver those crops.

View the Farmcraft® 2023 page