Young Farmers and Careers

The NFU’s Farmvention competition, aimed at encouraging children to think about the ways they can help farmers look after the environment and tackle climate change, welcomed nine young winners to the House of Commons. Danusia Osiowy reports.

Alison Warne, 16, lives in Wadebridge, Cornwall. She works on her family’s beef sheep and arable farm alongside studying for an agricultural diploma.

November has seen the return of the Young Farmers dinner dance season here in south west Lancashire.

Ben Greenfield, 24, is a butcher and third-generation farmer from Twycross, Leicestershire. The farm runs 1,000 Texel cross breeding ewes, 500 free-range laying hens and a few pigs.

Maddison Wilson, 27, is originally from Northamptonshire. She is now a new entrant farmer in Fife, Scotland, co-owner at Hadden Farm and contract shepherdess.

Abbie Bryant, 26, lives in Chelmsford, Essex. A first generation farmer, she runs A & A Livestock with her partner Andy as well as working a full-time job.

After a tumultuous year for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) which saw memberships plummet significantly, Hannah Binns takes a look at the health of the charity as it enters its ninth decade.

David Mitchell, 25, is a third generation farmer, farming 200 native suckler cows and 750 ewes outside Wiston, Biggar. A past Biggar YFC chair, he is currently Lanarkshire vice-chair and sits on the National Ag and Rural Affairs Committee.

Maria Warne, 19, lives in Wadebridge, Cornwall and recently won the NFYFC’s Farm Safety Award. She currently works on her family’s farm and is in her final year of a veterinary nursing degree.

Aimee Budge farms in Shetland with her sister. They have 90 suckler Saler cross Shorthorn cattle, 300 Shetland cross Cheviot and 300 pure Shetland sheep and also grow 24 hectares of spring barley.