Recognition for rural young people

The eff orts of rural young people who have given that little bit extra will be recognised in The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ 2021 YFC Achiever Awards.

Launched last year, the rewards are a way of recognising and rewarding members of Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) for the work they do in the community, for enterprising initiatives and for helping to develop other rural young people. There will be a special Covid-19-inspired Community Spirit Award sponsored by Tama to recognise the support YFC members showed their local communities during the pandemic.

New for 2021 is the Farm Safety Award, sponsored by SGN. Young farmer and social media infl uencer Hannah Jackson – aka The Red Shepherdess – will help to judge the award with Stephanie Berkeley from The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies). Enterprising young people will also be recognised in the Entrepreneur of the Year category, supported by NatWest, while the Heart of YFC award, sponsored by Eternit and chosen by an online poll amongst members, will be presented to the person chosen as best representing the true spirit of YFC. National Federation chairman Nigel Owens MBE said: “The YFC Achiever Awards shine a light on the amazing work of YFC members and our supporters. It has been a tough time for everyone but it’s so encouraging to see that rural young people are still working hard to look after their communities and each other. It’s now time for us to celebrate those achievements.”

> Sophie, winner of the New Member of the Year award in 2020

For a full list of awards and to make a nomination, visit www.nfyfc.org.uk/achieverawards2021 before the deadline of 18 June 2021

The NFU’s work to support the teaching of agricultural engineering skills has been backed by funding of nearly £30,000 from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The academy has recognised the part that food and farming can play in delivering science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning,

CASH HANDOUT WILL SUPPORT NFU’S STEM INITIATIVE

and its role in inspiring the next generation of engineers, by providing funding of £29,125 to support the NFU’s newest educational initiative.

The grant will allow the NFU Education team to deliver fi ve interactive afterschool club sessions during the autumn term aimed at giving young people a taste of life as an agricultural engineer.

As well as funding the online sessions, the grant will enable the NFU to build up its bank of 3D tours to include diff erent engineering workspaces such as Harper Adams University and the Small Robot Company alongside its current farm tours.

This project is the latest NFU STEM resource that will be freely available alongside the hugely successful Farmvention competition, Farming STEMterprise programme and Science Farm Live lessons.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “There is a skills gap within our society across all STEM roles and the lack of young people taking up engineering courses and jobs is quite stark.

“This is such an exciting and important time for the engineering industry, which plays a crucial role within food production and all aspects of our society, especially as the country looks to build greener infrastructure and technologies to help realise its net zero ambition.

“But at the moment there are so many children who don’t get enough exposure to the opportunities in engineering and whose schools don’t have the opportunity to explore the topic in much detail or take classes on trips to science and engineering museums. That’s why this funding is so important – so we can help inspire the next generation of engineers both within and outside agriculture.

“Addressing this skills gap is going to be key for the future of our country and teaching STEM through the lens of food and farming is a great way to do it. Not only does it really ignite children’s passion for these subjects but it’s completely relevant and translatable to their learning as every aspect of STEM is used on farms.”

In March, more than 223,000 students signed up for the NFU’s Science Farm Live lessons.