National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
Fun, Learning, and Achievement
10 March 2015
Getting their hands dirty was all in a day’s training for YFC members in March on NFYFC’s first ever Soil Management Workshop.
The training, funded by Defra, helped to show 10 members how sustainable soil management can also be profitable and was delivered during the International Year of Soils (IYS). The IYS 2015 aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.
The course, which was delivered at Morley Research Centre in Norfolk, was organised by David Whattoff from SOYL Precision Farming with support from Philip Wright of Wright Resolutions and NIAB.
Classroom instruction and practical tutorials formed the basis of the day and members who were registered with the relevant schemes were also able to earn NRoSO and Dairy Pro points.
Anthony Boeson, from Elham YFC in Norfolk and member of the AGRI Steering Group, is an arable farmer and contractor and attended the course. 
“The course was very beneficial. We do a lot of research on top of the land and so it was good to see what is going on under the ground so we can ensure we conserve it for the future,” said Anthony.
“Learning about the soil is like learning about the foundations of our industry. Without quality, cared-for soil structure we can’t grow top quality produce.”
For more information on training courses available with NFYFC, visit our courses section.
05 March 2015
Wales Young Farmers’ Clubs are celebrating after their funding has been restored by the Wales Government following a major campaign.
Wales YFC faced pressure after it was revealed they would lose £140,000 of funding from 1 April due to budget cuts from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government.
In response to the news, Young Farmers launched an online petition and gathered support from rural communities to fight the decision.
The Government has now agreed to award £88,600 of ‘transitional’ funding to Wales YFC while it develops a new five year plan. It is a one-off grant, and Wales YFC will need to adopt a new business model for future funding.
Iwan Meirion, Wales YFC chairman, said: “The on-going support of our members, supporters and stakeholders across Wales is much appreciated, particularly so in the last month.
"Clearly, the quality and value of services provided by the YFC across Wales is appreciated and acknowledged, and funding those services in the long term is a challenge.
"We now look forward to working with officials for the Welsh Government to fully understand and then implement the programme announced this afternoon.”
The funding cuts are a cause for concern for all YFCs and the NFYFC Council is currently reviewing services and ways of working. A 20% increase in the national levy has also been proposed by the NFYFC Council to help with some of the £200,000 shortfall in funding the Federation is facing.
03 March 2015
A lack of interest in a career in farming and food supply has prompted two of the industry’s major youth organisations to join forces to help promote the opportunities available for young people.Bright Crop and NFYFC are teaming up to showcase the range of jobs on offer in the sector to 75,000 children, aged between seven and 19 years old, at The Big Bang Career Fair from 11-14 March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Now in its seventh year, The Big Bang Fair is the largest celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects for young people in the UK and was the winner of the 'Educational Event of The Year' award at the UK Event Awards in 2014.
The two organisations are keen to show that a career in agriculture can be much broader than working on a farm.
Only four per cent of young people, who responded to a survey conducted on behalf of Bright Crop, said they were considering a career in farming and food supply. It is believed that misconceptions around the range of roles in the industry are dissuading children from viewing agriculture as a career option worth pursuing.
Volunteers from Young Farmers’ Clubs and Bright Crop Ambassadors will be at The Big Bang Fair to talk about their jobs and experience, as well as demonstrate the exciting opportunities on offer to young people.
Bright Crop Ambassador Andrew Brown, who will be attending The Big Bang Fair, said:
“It is vital that the food and farming sector promote their industry and its opportunities in schools. Not only are school children our customers of the future, but they are also the scientists, technicians and engineers who will drive the industry forward.
“Many children think farming and food production is all about getting cold wet and dirty, but there are so many exciting and varied careers in the sector that they may not have even considered. This is where the Bright Crop Ambassadors come in to explain how they can become involved in a forward thinking, modern and high tech industry which we all rely on every day of our lives.”
Lynsey Martin, Chair of NFYFC's Agriculture and Rural Issues Steering Group, said:
“The industry needs to go back to school to teach young people that agriculture is about technology and innovation. We need to show young people how many different roles there are in agriculture and promote the future of an industry that will be much more reliant on scientists and engineers.
“Members of Young Farmers’ Clubs do not all live and work on farms – but many of us have exciting and varied roles within the industry. We want to shout about this amazing sector and to encourage more talented people to join us in making it bigger and better.”
01 March 2015
An opportunity to learn more about new technologies in agriculture at two major manufacturers in France has helped a group of Young Farmers improve their skills.
The NFYFC study tour was funded by Defra and involved visits to two factories in France owned by two of the Federation’s sponsors.
Massey Ferguson invited members to tour their factory in Beauvais, while Kuhn Farm Machinery showcased their facilities in Saverne.
On the four day trip, the 26 Young Farmers learnt more about the production lines in both factories and could see the types of job roles available in agricultural engineering.
James Hutchinson from Malmesbury YFC in Wiltshire was one of the members on the trip and was impressed by the scale of the two factories.
“It was really interesting to see how two major manufacturers have grown over the years and how they were looking to expand and modernise using new technologies. I work on a farm where we use a lot of Kuhn machinery and it was interesting to see how they build them and the quality control checks they went through before being sold.”
Agri Officer Jo Wyles joined members on the trip and said it was great to be able to see how both companies produce quality machinery for farmers all over the world.
“Members were also inspired by the job prospects in the industry and the different types of machinery they could use on their farms,”said Jo. “We’re really grateful for the funding from Defra and to our sponsors for their hospitality in France.”
It wasn’t all work though, as members still found time to do some sightseeing in Paris and Reims – including a trip up the Eiffel Tower.
James added: “Although I have been skiing in France, I have never seen much of the countryside before and it was interesting to visit Paris and appreciate more of the culture. Our bus driver was great at pointing out all the landmarks as we travelled across the country too.”
Plans are already underway for the next study tour which will be a visit to Agritechnica in November. Anyone interested in taking part should register their interest with Jo Wyles.
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