Lucy Hooper said she was passionate about encouraging women and diverse communities to choose a career in farming
Having grown up in the picturesque surroundings on the edge of Exmoor, I have always had a passion to work in agriculture.
My fondest memories on the farm were helping to lamb Exmoor mules.
I think it made me the resilient person I am today because I had responsibilities and understood the value of hard work from an early age.
Even more so, it has made me proud to be a British farmer and I get to see those making our industry great every single day.
My family has been farming in the area for generations.
However, a sad part of my story now is our family has had to sell our Exmoor mules due to the pressures from the cost-of-living crisis which has been difficult to deal with for all of us.
I am currently in my third year at Harper Adams University studying Rural Enterprise and Land Management which has proved to be so enriching and rewarding.
I also recently started a work placement at Cowdray Estate in West Sussex as an assistant surveyor which is fantastic.
Getting involved in the running of the estate and land management has been such an eye-opening experience as I begin my journey towards a career in estate management.
There are so many things I find fascinating including the history of Britain's estates, the rural environment and the management of nature.
I am passionate about promoting the next generation of young people into our industry because I understand farming can be a very hard career to enter.
With rising costs placing unimaginable pressure on farmers at the moment - along with the fight for a fair deal on the fruits of their labour - you would be mistaken for seeing the appeal.
However, I am passionate about promoting British grown food and believe there could be a promising future for farmers.
In order for this to become a reality in the future, the Government needs to match the aspirations and ambitions of British farmers.
As a young person, I hope to play a prominent role in breaking down the barriers in the farming sector.
I think it is really important to even the playing field for women and the diverse communities which make Britain great.
There also needs to be a focus on protecting the mental health of all our farmers, which is often fuelled by the very long and strenuous hours they work.
We need to support each other and make sure there is always time for discussion on mental health.
