He is a big dreamer and wants to make a change in society. The 12-year-old farmer, Fred Junior MacCarthy harbours dreams of helping feed the children of South Africa.

HELPING OTHERS

Junior, as Fred is affectionately known, is the founder and CEO of Junior Farm Park, which seeks to draw young South Africans into commercial farming. The Brits-based youngster believes that teaching young people about farming will help end hunger. "We celebrate Youth Day to remember how school kids fought for freedom and I want to continue this fight by fighting for freedom from hunger," says Junior. "Living in South Africa is difficult when I see other people struggling and hungry. Farming allows you to take care of yourself and your family by planting your own food."

HIS AMBITIONS

Junior's ambition is to build a 'Junior Farm Park' to teach young visitors about commercial farming and how they can help sustain the environment. Design plans for the Junior Farm Park have been finalised and Junior is currently seeking funding. In the meantime, he has launched a Garden School Project to teach children about the basics of growing vegetables. "You don't need to have a big piece of land to farm. Children can collect old tyres and plastic bottles and use them for farming carrots or spinach."

YOUTH DAY

Reflecting on Youth Day on 16 June, Junior offers his fellow young South Africans this advice, "Take your studies seriously and start a garden at home so that you can help feed yourself and your family," he says. "If we want to say bye-bye to hunger, we need to teach as many young people as possible about farming. If you want them to know about farming, you need to give them options when they are young because so many young people think that food comes from supermarkets and don't know anything about farming," he adds.

FAMILY INSPIRATION

Junior credits his father for inspiring and teaching him all about farming as well as never giving up. "I remember we planted beetroot and peppers one year which were damaged because of hail, which was very upsetting, but my father taught me to just carry on and continue doing what we love." South Africa's leading petroleum company and convenience services retailer has pledged R20 000 to support Junior's vision. The funds will be used to purchase garden forks, rakes and spades, watering cans and wheelbarrows. "I love that they believe in me and my vision and were the first to come and help," comments Junior. Twenty years from now Junior says he wants to be a big commercial farmer, with his own plane.