Young Farmer Focus - Ben Read: "Knowing I might never be able to go back to farming completely destroyed me"

Ben Read, 22, is a sheep farmer from Maidstone in Kent

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Young farmer Ben Read had been diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma in 2022 at the age of 21
Image:

Young farmer Ben Read had been diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma in 2022 at the age of 21

I was first introduced to farming when I was 6 years-old during a family holiday to Cumbria. My parents took me to a farm and I remember just being so curious to be around the farm, the animals and...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Young Farmer Focus

Young Farmer Focus: Jessica Madge - "I hope to inspire the next generation"

Young Farmer Focus: Jessica Madge - "I hope to inspire the next generation"

Jessica Madge, 24, from South Somerset, works at the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers hoping to contribute positively to the future of British dairying and agriculture

clock 06 May 2026 • 2 min read
Young Farmer Focus - Daniel Blacker: "Legislation has been a consistent roadblock"

Young Farmer Focus - Daniel Blacker: "Legislation has been a consistent roadblock"

Daniel Blacker is passionate about creating extra revenue streams for farmers, having helped work on his diversified family farm which now runs holiday cottages

clock 29 April 2026 • 3 min read
Young Farmer Focus - Robert Machin: "Forage is the foundation of a successful system"

Young Farmer Focus - Robert Machin: "Forage is the foundation of a successful system"

Robert Machin, 20, strongly encourages anyone thinking about taking a placement in the feed and nutrition sector to go for it

clock 22 April 2026 • 3 min read