Don’t miss your chance to be heard
Airing your concerns and views in the Your Future and Farming online survey launched at this year’s ARAC Forum could not only help Young Farmers make a difference but could also win you £100 worth of vouchers.
NFYFC and Lantra, the sector skills council for the environment and land-based industries, are offering members the added incentive of the chance to win the vouchers to spend on books, music or DVDs by completing the survey before the closing date of Tuesday 30 June.
Launched by Lantra national director Madge Moore, the online survey will help provide extensive research into the issues affecting, and concerns of, young people as they enter into farming including skills and training.
All members are being urged to take part and voice their concerns about the barriers facing young people, as well as the opportunities available to young people living and working in the countryside.
The results of the survey will be collated during July and the report available soon after.
Madge will choose the winner of the vouchers at random on Friday 31 July.
please click here to complete the survey online
Get snap happy and put your home county in the picture
Capturing the spirit of My Home County could win you a free package for the 2010 annual convention in Torquay, or a cool shirt from the NFYFC shop, and get your work published in Ten26.
Ten26 is challenging Young Farmers to take a photograph that sums up the spirit of this year’s competitions theme: My Home County.
Your photo can be of anything that shows what My Home County means to you personally. It could be a picture of something your county is famous for that you are proud of; or perhaps the county or community you live in is special to you because of the landscape, or the people?
The image chosen by our judges as the most imaginative interpretation of My Home County will be showcased on the front cover September’s issue of the newsletter.
You can submit up to three entries. With each one, tell us in no more than 50 words what your picture represents and why.
Your entries must be high resolution pictures taken with a proper camera, we are sorry but we won’t be able to accept pictures taken on a mobile phone.
The photographer whose work is chosen as the cover shot of Ten26 will win a one-day package to the Torquay 2010 convention for the day of their choice (over-18s) or a branded shirt and goodie bag (under-18s).
Send your photos clearly marked: My Home County, either by email to: anna.avino@nfyfc.org.uk, or on a CD by post to: Ten26, YFC Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG.
Please be sure to tell us your full name, age, and which club you belong to.
Closing date for entries is June 30, 2009. Good luck!
Cash for recycling your old mobile phone
Don’t miss the chance to do your bit for the environment in our Year of Climate Change and earn cash for your chosen projects and charities by recycling unwanted mobile phone handsets, or old inkjets and toner cartridges.
Several thousand special freepost envelopes (with the potential to generate up to £230,000 in cashback) were produced by and are still available from Redeem, who will donate up to a tenner for each mobile phone handset returned to them.
They will send a supply of the envelopes direct to your county offices. Call 0800 970 5097 and quote: Young Farmers’ Appeal or visit www.recycleyourmobile.co.uk
Help Brook to help you
Brook are asking Young Farmers for their feedback on the sexual health awareness advice and information provided to members at the annual convention.
The survey will help the UK’s leading provider of sexual health services and advice for young people under 25 develop the activities outreach workers use to provide the free and confidential advice and education they offer young people at future events.
This year’s Brook stand at the Blackpool convention used a number of fun activities to help Young Farmers make informed choices about their personal and sexual relationships, including a graffiti wall and giving away free T-shirts and condoms, as well as offering free health screening tests in conjunction with Blackpool’s Chlamydia screening programme.
Ask Brook manager Rachael Wyatt said: “The Young Farmers’ convention is a great opportunity to inform more than 5,500 young people about sexual health. They particularly liked practising using condoms properly in a task that showed how difficult it can be if they are drunk.”
Click here to help Brook plan future events by filling in the online survey.
YFC visits Parliament
YFC members with senior NFU advisers
at the NFU Parliamentary office
YFC members spent a day at the NFU Government and Parliamentary Affairs office finding out about legislation, the role of the NFU lobbying arm and seeing Parliament in action.
Senior NFU Parliamentary and policy advisers discussed the current Defra Responsibility and Cost Sharing consultation on the financial aspects of managing animal health, Parliamentary procedure and the NFU’s role in supporting farmers and growers.
YFC members travelled from as far as Cornwall to get an insight to the NFU lobbying work and Doug Jackson, chairman of the NFYFC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC), commented: “This was our second such visit to the NFU Parliamentary office, and it was ideal for YFC members who were keen to learn more about the impact of future legislation and the role of lobbying.
“Members travelled from many different counties to learn, discuss and offer their opinions on current consultations and future legislation. This trip coincides with the launch of the new NFU membership category YFC members and highlights how our two organisations are working together.
“This visit follows on from our recent meeting with James Paice MP, during which YFC members discussed the various outcomes from our Agriculture and Rural Affairs Forum held at the beginning of May, as well as various other issues of concern to YFC members.”
The visit was organised by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in association with the National Farmers’ Union.
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Lionel Hill MBE re-elected as National President
is looking forward
to another busy
year as NFYFC
President
Praising him for his vitality and energy, Young Farmers re-elected Lionel Hill MBE as President of the National Federation of young Farmers’ Clubs at their AGM in Blackpool on May 3.
Proposing the motion for re-election Montgomery YFC’s Nicola Walker described Lionel as: “Committed, passionate and everywhere’, adding: “YFC can open many doors in life and Lionel is someone who is likely to be there opening them for you.”
Seconding the motion, James Sage (Somerset) commented:” Lionel you are remarkable, and this organisation is blessed to have you – to quote Tina Turner, you are simply the best.”
Delighted with a chance to head up the organisation for another year, Lionel told members: “This is the most brilliant organisation any young person can get involved with for creating brilliant friendships.
“My own circle of friends gets bigger each year and I cherish those friendships – I am the luckiest pensioner in the world, and this honour means so much to a very old man!”
See you next year
Annual Convention 2010
Torquay April 23-25
James Eckley
NFYFC CEO James Eckley was delighted everyone had enjoyed this year’s convention so much and with the impeccable behaviour of all the members.
“They were all brilliant. The quality of the members’ contributions to the AGM and the ARAC Forum was excellent and the standard and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited during the finals of the competitions was fantastic.
“I want to thank all our sponsors and partners who helped make this year’s event such a huge success, as well as all the staff and volunteers for making this weekend so much fun and such a high-quality showcase for all the achievements and hard work done throughout the organisation during the past year,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing everyone next year for three days and nights of first class fun.”
More news and photos from this year’s Annual Convention at www.nfyfc.org.uk/annualconvention.html
Simply the best
Lionel Hill MBE
National President Lionel Hill MBE had almost lost his voice on Tuesday (May 5) as a result of socialising so much during the weekend and chairing the AGM.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” he said. “I want to compliment all the members on how well-behaved they were at all times and also thank them for giving me the honour of being their national president for another year – it makes me so proud to tell people that I am the president of 24,000 young people who make up the very best rural youth movement in the world.
“The talent and entertainment value in the pantomime and the dance competitions was the best I have ever seen; and I want to congratulate the seven members who took part in the Senior Member of the Year finals – for me, they were all winners – and a special well-done to Caroline Dawson for being the final winner this year.
“Having attended many YFC events over the years I was very impressed by the conduct and professionalism of all the stewards and would also like to thank all the staff for the hard work behind the scenes that delivered another brilliant weekend to the membership. I’m already looking forward to seeing you all next year.”
Superheroes one and all
Bryce Mackellar
Young Farmers from across England and Wales have been praised as excellent ambassadors for the organisation during what has been described by National Chairman Bryce Mackellar, President Lionel Hill MBE and CEO James Eckley, as one of the best annual conventions so far.
Bryce said feedback from the 5,000 members who travelled from far and wide to attend the three-day event had been fantastic, and that their enjoyment was plain to see from the smiles and laughter as well as the crowds at all the events: from the energy-packed evening entertainments and hotly contested national competition finals, to their participation in the AGM and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Forum.
“All our members are to be commended for their attitude throughout the Bank Holiday weekend and for how well they conducted themselves both inside the Winter Gardens and out and about in Blackpool itself.
“The competition finals all proved very popular with the large audiences they attracted and it was great to see so many members at both the AGM and the ARAC forum.
“I want to thank the staff, stewards and volunteers for all their hard work in organising this year’s event. The smooth running of every aspect of our weekend is testament to the incredible amount of planning that went into it, and their professionalism.
“It was a truly excellent convention, one of the best I have seen so far, and I am looking forward to even bigger and better things next year in Torquay.”
Exclusive free NFU membership offer
You can now receive a host of benefits including support through your studies, enjoy money saving discounts, and keep up to date about what’s happening in the agricultural industry thanks to a free membership deal being offered by the NFU.
The package is exclusively designed for YFC members aged from 16-21 and not only gives you a direct link to the largest agricultural organisation in the UK and its wide range of resources but also the chance to influence the future of agricultural policy.
The NFU has made it really easy for you to join by simply filling in a short online application form.
To sign up for your free membership log on to www.nfuonline.com/yfc.xml. You will receive your welcome pack and password which allows you access to the member’s area on the NFU website.
For more details about this exclusive membership offer please click here
Chance to win a day trip and £200 spending money
Fancy a chance of winning a free day trip for your YFC and £200 spending money?
National agricultural newspaper Farmers Guardian, which is once again sponsoring the NFYFC Senior Member of the Year award, has teamed up with John Deere to offer one winning club a day out at the firm’s Nottingham headquarters in Langar, test driving some of the latest kit on the nearby airfield testing ground and having some fun on a variety of gators, combines and tractors.
The day includes a guided tour of the building, access to the training centre, mechanical workshops and machinery displays, lunch and the opportunity to take home some freebies.
For a chance to win the trip for your club, fill in a simple entry form at the FG stand, which will be in the foyer during Friday’s registration and before the ARAC forum.
The first 1,000 members to enter the competition will also receive a free Farmers Guardian AGM T-shirt.
The newspaper will be reporting live from this year’s event, and you can read a full AGM preview and YFC profile on the Cornwall Federation online at www.farmersguardian.com/youngstock.
There, you can also follow all AGM events as they happen online or through regular twitter updates, see the photographs in a dedicated YFC photo gallery, and read news of all the trophy winners.
NFYFC and Beatbullying survey
Beatbullying is the UK’s leading bullying prevention charity working with young people to create a world whereby bullying is unacceptable. Beatbullying has directly or indirectly worked with 700,000+ young people over the past 5 years, assisting and supporting young people that are being bullied, re-educating and changing the behaviour of young people that bully, and preventing bullying in schools and communities across the UK.
The National Federation of Young Farmers are delighted to be working alongside Beatbullying to understand if bullying has effected any Young Farmers. Please click on the below link to complete an anonymous survey from Beatbullying – please be honest with your answers. NFYFC are very pleased to announce that Beatbullying will be at the AGM in Blackpool, able to answer questions you have relating to bullying.
Please click here to complete the survey
Join Madness at the Party in the Paddock
See Madness live in concert, and meet your friends in a reserved YFC facility overlooking the pre-parade ring, thanks to an exclusive entrance and entertainment package being offered to Young Farmers by Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire.
Party in the Paddock, on Saturday 30 May, is one of the venue’s biggest fixtures of the year and members are being offered an evening of great racing from 6.10pm, with a chance to spot the winning horses from the private YFC area, plus access to an exclusive cash bar and hog roast.
Eighties ska legends Madness will be playing live in concert after the racing, bringing some of their biggest hits, including Our House, Baggy Trousers, and House of Fun, to the racecourse stage.
YFC entrance and entertainment package tickets must be booked in advance by Tuesday 5 May and cost £35 per person.
For more information, or to book your tickets, contact Olivia Brocklebank on 01635 40015 or email olivia.brocklebank@newbury-racecourse.co.uk.
The summer 2009 edition of Ten26 is now available online
Catch up with news from your Chairman Bryce Mackellar about his busy year in office; meet the new members of the NFYFC team and learn more about what has been going on at the Stoneleigh office.
You can also read a full round-up of what’s in store at what promises to be another fantastic fun-filled Annual Convention over the coming Bank Holiday weekend. And don’t forget to take part in our climate change quiz and send us your articles for a chance to have them published on the website later in the year.
Please click here to download your copy of Ten26.
Please click here to download your copy of Cyffro.
YFC Visit to National Farmers’ Union (NFU), London
Thursday 21 May 2009
10.30 am – 2.30 pm
Legislation – any questions?
YFC members have been invited to visit the NFU Government and Parliamentary Affairs Office based in Westminster to meet the team who will explain the role of the NFU in London. The Government and Parliamentary Affairs Office team will explain the work carried out in the Parliamentary office incorporating a visit to the Houses of Parliament culminating in open discussion on various topics over lunch back at Smith Square.
This visit is open to a maximum of 12 members who are 18 or over and will operate on a first come, first served basis and you will need to make your own way to the NFU, Kings Buildings, 16 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ.
Please click here for application form and further details
A taste of university life
April 2009
Get together with Young Farmers from across the country to experience university life during this year’s taster event at Harper Adams University College, designed to help you make decisions about your future.
Try out two days of life on campus and take part in lectures and practical activities related to agriculture, engineering, animal, business and land-based subjects during the Higher Education Choices (HEC) conference for 16 to 18-year-olds.
As well as trying out university-level studies, those visiting the Shropshire campus on July 6 and 7 will have the chance to sample living in halls of residence, make new friends and party a bit, too. Current students will act as guides and share their own experiences of life at Harper Adams.
For those who can’t make the conference there are also two open days this year on Saturday May 9 and Sunday October 11.
For more information or to book your place, visit www.harper-adams.ac.uk or call HEC coordinator Sally Bishop on 01952 815265.
Farm Business Development competition 2009
The NFYFC Farm Business Development Competition 2009 task is now available on-line or upon request from the NFYFC office. If you intend to enter, please contact sarah.palmer@nfyfc.org.uk and also advise the date you will be visiting Buston Farm – April 26 (11 am – 1.00 pm) or May 10 (11 am – 1.00 pm).
Completed projects should be submitted to NFYFC by 14 June and competitors will then be sent tickets for the Royal Show, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Attendance of the show on Wednesday 8 July is an important part of the competition when feedback from judges, interviews and an awards ceremony will take place.
The winning team will receive scholarship places for the 2010 Oxford Farming Conference, an NFYFC Challenge Cup, membership of the Tenant Farmers Association and NFYFC awards.
Please click here for competition information
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Think Food and Farming newsletter
Welcome to the third Think Food and Farming e-newsletter providing you with useful updates on developments in the food and farming sector linked to education and events that you can get involved in.
NFYFC Chairman joins NFU President looking to the future
NFU President Peter Kendall will be leading a workshop on the 'Next Generation of Farming' on the second day of NFU Conference this year. NFYFC chairman Bryce Mackellar will join Peter along with Rob Harrison, a former NFYFC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Chairman, from the newly-formed NFU Young Dairy Board. The workshop runs from 9am-10.30am on Tuesday, 17 February, in the Arden Room at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole. Anyone who is unable to get tickets for the conference can view the session live as it happens via the NFU Conference website. This, along with other main sessions over the two days, will be available to view via this webpage:
