When were you first interested in being in farming?
I did work experience on a farm during secondary school.
What inspired you to pursue a career in it?
I always had a love for animals and after various work experience in different animal environments, I decided farming was the most interesting.
What does your daily role look like?
I spend most of my day talking to our assessor team and our farmer members. A large proportion of my work is reviewing corrective evidence and running reports for our Dairy First Purchasers.
Describe your job in three words
Interesting, challenging and rewarding.
What is the working culture of the business you work for?
The company has its challenges but always encourages personal development and self improvement.
What qualifications did you have to get?
I already had a BSC in Zoology and Animal Behaviour and I was working towards a Postgraduate Diploma in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law.
What training opportunities have you had within your role?
I have completed a lot of training including all of the Red Tractor exams for my schemes, and a livestock transport course.
Are their opportunities for professional development and if so what do those look like?
Yes, NSF is constantly encouraging new courses or offering feedback for personal development.
What are the top things three you love about your job?
1 Photos of cute calves and lambs
2 Office atmosphere
3 Self Development
What challenges you?
Assessors are a tough role to fill so having enough assessors for farmers.
What frustrates you?
Trying to explain to a well experienced farmer some of the modern standards.
What is the biggest misconception about being an Agriculture Scheme Manager?
That I have no experience or understanding of on site farm work.
Best piece of advice you have had?
Always listen, you learn more from listening than talking.
Who is your hero and why?
David Attenborough - he has brought so much to the open about the animal world and the damage that humans have caused.
What was the last book you read?
An offer you can't refuse, by Jill Mansell.
What do you never leave home without?
Snacks.
What might surprise people about you?
I grew up in a city, far away from normal farming culture.
You are the Prime Minister for the day - what would you change?
I would raise the sentences for animal abuse and crimes against animal welfare.
Describe the purpose of your job to someone who has never heard about it before?
We go to check on farms to ensure livestock are being cared for how they should be.
Complete the sentence: The future of Farming is...
Development and consumer understanding.
Favourite British dish to cook?
Sausage and mash.
What do you wish you had known sooner about working in agriculture?
How challenging public perception is compared to the real world.
How do you like to relax and improve wellbeing?
I love to sew and walk my 2 lovely rescue dogs.
