Young Farmers and Careers

Matthew Butterfield, 18, lives in Wimborne, Dorset. He is starting at Harper Adams University in September as part of the access to agriculture programme and will study a BSc in agriculture.

Scott Thomson, 24, is from Jedburgh and currently a farm safety representative for the Border Federation of Young Farmers.

Katie Smith, 21, is from Birmingham but based at Harper Adams University during the term time. She is currently studying veterinary medicine at Harper Keele Veterinary School.

Who has made the 2021 British Farming Awards shortlist?

Edward Lord, 19, is from Market Drayton, North Shropshire and has recently completed his first year of studying agriculture with business management at Aberystwyth University.

Kitty Stainsby, 25, is originally from Sussex. She now farms in the Forest of Dean, near Ruardean, Gloucestershire, with her partner James, 26, who is also a first generation farmer.

Young Farmers Clubs are looking to claw back members and recruit new ones after a tumultuous year which has seen membership halve.

Young Farmers’ Clubs are looking to claw back members and recruit new ones after a tumultuous year which has seen membership halve.

Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) are some of the true gems within our rural communities. They are places for youngsters to develop as people, to form life-long friendships, and they do so much good in terms of supporting and fundraising for local charities.

After recruiting and training your staff, you want to keep hold of them, but how? Jez Fredenburgh speaks to farm employers and employees about how to boost retention.