Had you asked a farmer before the last world war what innovations were likely to affect his industry in the future, he would most likely have spoken in terms of faster, stronger horses and bigger steam engines, little imagining where engineering technology and science would take us.

So… what lies ahead today?

Founded in 1938, the Institution of Agricultural Engineers celebrates its 75^th Anniversary in 2013.  To commemorate this, they are teaming up with NewCon Press to sponsor a flash fiction competition, open to all.  Stories should reference speculation regarding what the future might hold for agricultural engineering, farming and food production over the next century.

The winning story will receive a cash prize of £75.00.  It will also be published in the Institution’s quarterly magazine Landwards (circulation approximately 3,000), as will the immediate runners up (the authors of which will each receive £20.00).  The winning story will subsequently be included in Looking Landwards, a similarly-themed anthology of original science fiction due from NewCon Press in late 2013.

Entries should be between 800 and 900 words (these limits are strict), and should be sent to the following email address no later than January 12^th, 2013:  flashfic@newconpress.co.uk