Encouraging diversity in farming is one of Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones main passions. His next project hopes to attract young people from all walks of life into agriculture. Emily Ashworth finds out more.
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones has always been a trailblazer for agricultural diversity. His own story has inspired many others to consider farming as a career option, and his latest project with Writtle University college has seen him on a mission to find the new faces of farming.
Our industry is crying out for new talent, but with construed misconceptions and a lack of knowledge surrounding farming, attracting fresh faces is not always easy.
The campaign, New Faces For Farming, was co-launched by Wilfred in a bid to encourage 16 to 18-year-olds to learn more about agriculture and hopefully consider it as a potential career, especially given his own success coming from a non-farming background.
Coming from a non-farming background
As a young boy growing up in an inner-city area, I found it impossible to find opportunities to develop my interest in farming. And 50 years on, many young people still do not know where to go to learn more, he says.
"It is my mission to encourage more youth and diversity into farming and agriculture, so to be able to work with Writtle University College on these initiatives is tremendously exciting."
But Wilfred had to carve his own pathway. He was born in Jamaica, before moving to the UK with his eight siblings after World War II to a terraced house in inner-city Birmingham.
He is not one to be deterred from his passion though in his own words, he is a focused and very determined individual. For those, however, who do not have access, opportunities, contacts or support, getting farming experience could be daunting.
He says: It was as though farming was a closed shop to people like me. I had to find other ways to fulfil my ambition which took many years and a very circuitous route. I want young people today, who have an interest in farming as a career, to have easy access to routes to achieving this.
All too often people are put off by the nay-sayers who want to tell you all the reasons you cannot do or achieve something. When I want to do or achieve something that is what I set my mind to, so whether that was overcoming hurdles to getting into farming, or running my business, I will not be thrown off track. My advice is always to stay focused and use your passion to drive you through the tough times.
I will never forget how difficult it was for me as a young man to find ways to explore getting into farming. So, it was a meeting of minds with Writtle that resulted in this progressive initiative that marks the first in a series of measures aimed at attracting more diversity into farming.
Getting farming experience
The campaign saw youngsters from across the country apply, and the event took place at the university campus in Essex from March 31 to April 1, with all who gained a place sampling a little taste of farm life.
The teenagers were able to explore the on-campus farm, meet the lambs, witness the breadth of agricultural technology and hear from Wilfred himself, along with other industry experts, about opportunities and careers within the sector.
It seems the participants got stuck in and were surprised at what they found.
The experience on the farm and off the farm was just amazing, says Manjinder, 17.
I learnt about the farms crops and animals. I also developed quite a lot of skills such as communication, confidence and critical thinking.
I would consider being a farmer because I know that this is how people get their food. Without farmers there would be no food.
Others said they would now think about farming in their future, and at the least think about it in terms of the farm to fork process.
For Wilfred, who has been lobbying for this cause for a very long time, it was a joy to see young people from diverse backgrounds enjoying themselves and becoming potential future advocates.
I was really encouraged by the response to this opportunity. The young people who attended the weekend had all taken a courageous step to take a look at farming as a potential career, and they really grabbed the opportunity with enthusiasm and an open mind. As with many things, it is the first step that is hardest. I believe that these young people will take a lot away from the experience and some will choose to get involved.
It is about ensuring the future of our land and this planet, and it is important work and takes dedication and passion, but the rewards are manyfold.
Facing challenges
Wilfred has been at the forefront of other campaigns in the past and faced his own challenges. He has battled and overcome cancer, and previously run his own rural scholarship scheme, where he mentored young people giving up is not in his nature.
In previous interviews withFarmers Guardian,he has said that agriculture needs to take action when it comes to encouraging diversity instead of just ticking boxes, and our sector should reach out to those outside our industry.
But to young people to the potential future farmers his advice is to simply give it a go.
He says: My advice would be to give it a go. Take part in initiatives like New Faces for Farming if the opportunity arises or visit one of the University College open days. There are so many different aspects to farming that there is very likely something that will suit you from working with animals, the land, or technology.
This weekend was the first step in bringing about much-needed change.
