NFYFC’s history is long and proud, built on the passion, energy, commitment and weekly effort of volunteers, members and county teams across rural England and Wales. In the rapidly changing world young people face today, listening to our members is essential if we are to keep YFC relevant, inclusive and thriving for generations to come.
The response to our 2024 Membership Experience Survey was very encouraging. Around 12% of our 23,000 members took part, representing hundreds of voices from across our network. This tells us our membership cares and is willing to engage when asked. It reminds us that NFYFC is more than a structure: it is a network of people committed to rural youth, community and shared purpose.
We are grateful to NFU Mutual for their support in making this survey possible and for recognising the vital role YFCs play in rural communities.
At NFU Mutual we recognise the importance of supporting the next generation of farmers. We're very proud to have donated to NFYFC's membership survey and hope that this feedback will help to inform future developments to meet members' needs.
Jim McLaren MBE
NFU Mutual Chairman
We regularly hear how much YFCs matter to members; this survey gives us the data to back that up and to amplify their voices with evidence.
At the request of 2025 Chair of Council James Nixey, we included the question: “If you could change one thing about YFC, what would it be?” The response was striking: the overwhelming majority either left the question blank or, in a one-word reply, wrote “nothing.” Far from indicating apathy, that silence, that single-word affirmation, underscores how deeply many members value YFC. Among the small number who offered suggestions, feedback was constructive and focused on targeted improvements rather than fundamental change. Members continue to emphasise what YFC delivers best: friendship, confidence and personal development in rural communities where opportunities to connect and grow are often limited.
NFYFC wants as many members as possible to complete the survey so we can evidence where YFC is making a difference in their lives.
Drew Bailey
Chair of NFYFC Council 2024
The findings in this report will shape our strategy for the coming years. As a member-led organisation, we must balance continuity, honouring what works and our traditions, with the agility to adapt and remain responsive to evolving member and organisational needs. We hope that this report is not just read but used. We invite county federations, staff, volunteers and members to engage with it: question it, debate it and turn insight into action.
Thank you to every person who took the time to share their perspective. Your voice matters, and this report ensures it will be heard.
Using the survey findings, further work commissioned from Rose Regeneration’s Social Value Engine translated the Membership Experience data into a single, comparable measure of social value - putting a monetary figure on the social, economic and wellbeing outcomes YFCs deliver. The analysis shows Young Farmers’ Clubs generate £4.51 of social good for every £1 NFYFC invests, totalling £10,024,953.
Social value captures benefits that are hard to price individually: improved health and emotional wellbeing, stronger friendships, increased confidence and better career prospects. The Social Value Engine, accredited by Social Value International, applied the 2024 survey data to produce a robust estimate and packaged outcomes into policy-relevant categories aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In monetary terms the report values ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’ at £6,620,918.26 and ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’ at £3,065,027.14, which supports the survey’s findings that 77% of members improved their career prospects, 89% increased confidence in public speaking, and 94% reported benefits for mental wellbeing and community connection.
“These results demonstrate the achievements of our YFCs across England and Wales and the impressive impact they have on rural young people’s lives,” says NFYFC Chair James Nixey. This message is being shared during National Young Farmers’ Week 2025 (6–10 October) to show how YFCs really make a difference to the lives of young people and their rural communities, and to encourage more young people to discover their local YFC club.
