30 May 2019

At the start of National Volunteers Week (1-7 June), NFYFC's President Charlotte Smith says thank you to all the YFC volunteers. 

"Whether you spend your spare time planning YFC club activities to keep 10 to 26 year olds entertained, informed and inspired or plough your energy into balancing your club’s books – YFC relies on its volunteers. Our 615 YFCs are run by YFC members who volunteer their time to help develop their club, their members and their wider rural communities.

From the bake sales to the County rallies – we’re indebted to those ‘can-do’ people who never fear a challenge.

They’re the people who are sweeping out barns and painting rally boards at 2am. They’re the ones who deliver training to hundreds of rural young people to help develop skills. They’re the dedicated lot who write the scripts, make the costumes and encourage their club to take part in competitions such as the Performing Arts. They’re the organisers who plan the club programmes, book the farm tours, arrange the transport. 

They’re the marketeers who share their club’s updates on social media and communicate with the press. They’re the fundraisers who collectively throughout the YFCs across England and Wales raise in excess of £1.2m for charity each year.

They’re the Chairmen, the Secretaries, the Treasurers, the Trainers, the Programmers, the Trustees, the Advisory, the leaders, the parents – and the list goes on. 

Volunteers – they are the lifeblood of YFC – and for that commitment and generosity I say thank you. Thank you for sharing and caring. Without you, YFC simply wouldn’t exist.

Charlotte Smith
NFYFC President 2019

30 May 2019

YFC members are invited to attend a Sunday Lunch with The Henry Plumb Foundation to celebrate its seventh year as a positive influence shaping the lives of young farmers.

‘Sunday Lunch with a difference’ is open to all supporters and friends at Harper Adams University on Sunday 30 June and YFC members are being offered a 50% discount on the ticket price – making their attendance only £25.

The lunch will include a traditional Sunday Roast of matured Longhorn Beef as well as time to meet and speak with people who have a similar outlook on the world of farming, food production and looking after the British countryside.

There will also be presentations from a number of Henry Plumb Foundation scholars who have benefitted from funding and mentoring provided by The Henry Plumb Foundation, providing a source of inspiration for those looking for a way to get started.

The day includes:

• An outline of the work of The Harper Adams University by Dr David Llewellyn, Vice Chancellor
• An update by Lord Plumb and some of the trustees on the progress of The Henry Plumb Foundation
• A recital by Ruby Howells, an award winning young flautist; accompanied on the piano by Ellis Thomas a top prize-winning pianist; who will also give a solo recital during the programme
• Traditional and modern singing by Cantorion Cognati. Angharad and Esther are two cousins who sing duets; and Llansilin  Welsh Choir of Mixed voices.
• An ‘Auction of Promises’ – in which you can bid on items donated by friends as part of the fundraising effort.
• Sunday lunch of matured Longhorn beef and local lamb.

The key aim of the event is to raise funds to help the Foundation continue its work of supporting young people to become established within the British food and farming sector.

The closing date for registering for a place on the Sunday Lunch is 7 June. For more information, or to register for the event, please contact Mags Barrow or call 01684 899255. 

30 May 2019

Want to hear more about the future for farming and our countryside? Defra is coming to an agriculture show near you.

Defra will have stands at the below shows in June where policy officials will be happy to chat and take any questions.

Show list 

5 June – NSA Sheep North. North Yorkshire

12-13 June – Cereals. North Lincolnshire

14-16 June – Three Counties Show. Malvern, Worcestershire

18 June – NSA Sheep South West. Devon

26-27 June – Groundswell. Weston, Hitchin

YFC members can get discounts on entry tickets for some of the shows listed. See here for details. 

Defra will be attending additional shows in July and August with more details to be announced soon. 

30 May 2019

A dry wit and a love of YFC helped Northumberland's County Chairman Ed Dungait win the Sidney Fawcett trophy at NFYFC's Annual General Meeting in May. When he's not leading his County Federation, winning awards or spending time with his club Tritlington YFC, 26-year-old Ed is busy working on his family's arable farm near Morpeth.

When did you join YFC?

10 years ago

Why have you remained a member?

Because it’s the best organisation ever. I’d have been lost without Young Farmers.

Greatest achievement in YFC?

Winning Northumberland YFC Male Party Animal of the Year 2015. A close second would be winning Best Male Actor 2019, or Trit winning Club of the Year 2017 – or being asked to be County Chairman after everyone else turned it down!

Greatest achievement outside young farmers?

Getting one of the top 10 marks in the country for my Physics A Level. It comes in really handy day-to-day on the farm.

Top skill you have learnt through YFC?

Acting – making people laugh (usually at me, sometimes with me).

I’d never been on stage before until two years ago when Trit joined with Coquetdale YFC to scratch a panto together. We were told by the judges it was “the funniest thing they’d ever seen”. It brings out talents that we never knew we had, and confidence comes with that.

The best thing you’ve ever made with YFC?

Friends.

Three words to describe your club…

Small, Mighty, Oneclubonelove

Has YFC helped you in your career/studies?

Yes, making contacts, and communicating with people.

Someone you would like to thank in YFC and why?

Peter Howie & Jack Kelcher. They joined on the same night as me 10 years ago and have taken the club from strength to strength, making the Trit Trojans a force to be reckoned with. Not forgetting all the other members too!

If you would like to feature in our YFC profile or want to nominate someone to be profiled, email magazine@nfyfc.org.uk