Young Farmers and Careers

Amy Gouldthorpe, 21, lives on her family’s mixed farm in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. She is studying an agriculture with animal science degree at Harper Adams University.

Young people are often regarded as the future of farming and with this in-mind many breed societies now offer a range of activities to encourage, support and cultivate young talent.

Charlotte Bevan, 26, grew up on a Herefordshire farm and works as a senior accounts administrator for CXCS, a firm of agricultural compliance advisers.

Hannah Rees, 24, is from Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire. She is currently studying at Harper Adams University and has completed a research project looking at mental health within agriculture.

A survey run by Farmers Guardian earlier this year revealed 50 per cent of farming employees said they had gained skills independently of their employer, reflecting a desire to upskill themselves. Jez Fredenburgh takes a look at the some of the key training opportunities available.

William Mellor, 24, works on his family’s dairy farm Bakewell, Derbyshire alongside his brother and parents.

John McCulloch, 21, is a stockman at G Barbour & Co, based in Crocketford, near Dumfries in South West Scotland. He is the chairman of Stewartry Young Farmers and chairman of the SAYFC West region agri and rural affairs committee.

Lucy May Griffiths, 20, is from a mixed farm in Radnorshire, Wales. She is in her second year at Harper Adams University studying agriculture with animal science.

Jack Sadler is a 26-year-old graduate rural surveyor with CLM, a firm of farm business and environment consultants. From Cheshire, Jack is carving a career in the overlap between agriculture and conservation.

Get training from outside of your employer to reach your career goals, say farmers who proactively sought to improve their skills and career development. Jez Fredenburgh reports.