STUDENT FARMER - JANUARY 2022 by STUDENT FARMER

The magazine for young farmers

to improve your exam technique

January 2022

Thinking outside the box There's more than one way to suceed in farming

MAKING CHEESE GRATE AGAIN

From Syrian refugee to award-winning cheesemaker

MEET THE AMBASSADORS

Our new NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors take up their positions 1464250.indd 1

13/01/2022 11:05:46

SMOCKS & JACKETS

STAY WARM, KEEP DRY & LOOK GREAT WITH RIDGELINE

SRP £129.99 ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE MALIN FLEECE SMOCK AUTUMN

MALIN FLEECE SMOCK

TORRENT JACKET III OLIVE

• 340 Pro Southern Star fleece • Windproof and water resistant • Zipped chest hand warmer pockets • Joey pouch • Velcro cuff • Long style • Hard wearing • Classic fit • Available in Field Olive and Autumn

SRP £129.99

SRP £119.99

TORRENT III JACKET • Available in Olive & Teak • Waterproof 10,000 H20 • Breathable 5,000 MVT • QUIET-TEX 10K Silent shell fabric lined for warmth • Large roomy wired hood • Velcro cuff & hand warmer pockets • Full length two way front zip • Large cargo pockets with side access • Back vent to assist ventilation

SRP £119.99

TORRENT JACKET III TEAK

SRP £129.99 ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE MALIN FLEECE SMOCK FIELD OLIVE

MONSOON CLASSIC SMOCK • Available in Olive, Teak & DIRT Camo • Waterproof 10,000 H20 • Breathable 5,000 MVT • RL-TEX PRO Fabric • 3 Layer laminated shell • Seam sealed & hard wearing • Large hood • Zipped pockets • Waist clinch • Quiet

SRP £179.99

TO SHOP OUR FULL RANGE, VISIT YOUR LOCAL DEALER OR VISIT RIDGELINE CLOTHING.CO.UK

SRP £179.99 MONSOON CLASSIC SMOCK OLIVE

NFU A4 Ad 2021.indd 1

OUR BEST SELLING GARMENT

MONSOON CLASSIC SMOCK TEAK

MONSOON CLASSIC SMOCK DIRT CAMO

03/12/2021 09:08

Contents

04 MEET OUR NEW NFU STUDENT & YOUNG FARMER AMBASSADORS 10 ONCE AN AMBASSADOR, ALWAYS AN AMBASSADOR

12 TEN WAYS TO ACE THIS YEAR'S EXAMS 14 SYRIAN REFUGEE TO CHEESEMAKER VIA YORKSHIRE 16 DON'T GET SCURVY! 18 KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH 22 MAKING FARMING WORK WITH A DISABILITY 26 TAKING FARMING TO THE HEART OF LONDON 29 WATCHING THE PENNIES AND SEEING THE POUNDS 30 GROWING TECHNOLOGY 32 MEET CHARLOTTE FROM CHARLOTTE'S BUTCHERY 35 WHAT HAPPENED AT COP26? 36 THE PEOPLE WORKING HARD FOR YOU Published by:

NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ

Filled with words by:

Orla McIlduff, Caitlin Kelly, Georgia Helme, Joss Naylor, Lorna Maybery, Kate Adams

Photo credits:

iStock, Yorkshire Dama Cheese, Charlotte Mitchell

To advertise, contact: Alan Brown alan.brown@nfu.org.uk

Contact:

orla.mcilduff@nfu.org.uk /StudentFarmer @studentfarmer @studentfarmer

New year, new ambassadors

can feel it in my bones; 2022 is going to be our year! After a very irritating 2020 and 2021, in which our plans were rudely disrupted, let's keep our fingers and toes crossed that it's a bit more plain sailing for everyone this year. The big news is that we've appointed 14 (yes, 14!) wonderful new young farmers to represent you as NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors for the whole of 2022. Find out about them on page 4, and say goodbye to our previous ambassadors on page 10. But, if you're not quite ready to say goodbye just yet, you can find out what they got up to at the Lord Mayor's Show on page 26. If you need some inspiration to get you out of your post-Christmas slump, we've got some wonderful stories from across the food and farming industry to put a fire in your belly. On page 14, Razan Alsous tells me about how she went from refugee to award-winning cheesemaker, and, on 22, our cover star Joss Naylor looks to his farming future while living with cerebral palsy. January can be a difficult time of the year for anyone, but bad weather and long nights can seem never-ending if you're a farmer. It's time to take stock and check in on ourselves, and our friends and neighbours. New Student Farmer contributor Georgia Helme looks at mental health in farming on page 18. Remember to look after each other, and if you're struggling, please ask for help. Orla McIlduff Student Farmer Editor January 2022

1430898.indd 3

13/01/2022 11:08:55

S&YFAP

It's our turn!

Sophie Bould-Lynch South West

COVER STORY

I am 23 years old and live in Devon. I have a degree in Rural Business Management and currently work as a Saputo Standards Inspector, Red Tractor auditor for dairy, beef and lamb farms and relief milker. I would like to gain knowledge and experience, and meet other likeminded people within the industry.

Despite Covid-19 meaning everything happened a bit later than planned, we’ve recruited 14 new Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors to represent young people in farming for the next year. They're a great bunch, so without further ado, let's introduce you to them!

Erin McNaught NFU Cymru I am a beef and sheep farmer taking over my family farm in North Wales, while also working on a local regenerative dairy farm. I also train and trial sheepdogs. Through this programme, I hope to further develop my understanding and passion for the agricultural industry.

Dan Hawes South East Bizza Walters West Midlands My name is Bizza, and I am a farmer's daughter from Warwickshire. We farm mainly sheep and arable, but have other enterprises such as a small feed merchant business. I am really passionate about agriculture, especially topics surrounding buying locally and seasonally, and am so thrilled to have been accepted onto the programme. I am really looking forward to the year ahead, meeting new people and attending events, and learning more about this ever-changing and fascinating industry.

1324430.indd 4

I’m Dan, 26, with an arable background in Suffolk, but now living and working in Kent for a farm producing strawberries and other soft fruits for the British market. I hope to gain some great friends, share ideas and learn from others, while doing my bit to promote our industry.

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:23:35

S&YFAP Gareth Staples-Jones North West

Emily Brown East Anglia

I think being an NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador is a great platform to show how a person who isn't from a farming background can break into the industry and what you can expect along the way, as well as explaining the role farming plays in our country.

Edward Lord West Midlands

I am the current President for Harper Adams Students' Union, having studied BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management from 2017-2021. I'm from a farming family in Bedfordshire and have been strongly involved in Bedford Young Farmers as well as having a keen interest in equality, diversity and inclusion in the agricultural industry. I also love getting out and active in the countryside.

For the past six years, I have been supporting my father’s dairy contract farming business in North Shropshire. I study Agriculture with Business Management at Aberystwyth University and have recently written an article in the Farmers Guardian detailing my belief in the importance of a mentor to help and to inspire you. My passion is sustainability, aiming to showcase to the public British agriculture's role in tackling climate change and the steps we’re taking as an industry to be sustainable. By completing the programme, I hope to publicly sell agriculture as a legitimate career pathway, showcasing agriculture's vast opportunities to current farmers, new entrants and the wider public

Mike Wilkins South West

Sian Eleri Davies NFU Cymru I graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BSc Hons in Agriculture with Business Studies in 2019. I now help to run the family enterprise, incorporating store cattle, breeding ewes, broiler chickens and arable. The arable sector is mainly based at the Glanusk Estate, of which we are tenant farmers. An active member of YFC, I am excited to help showcase the best of British agriculture to the public and I feel privileged to be part of the programme.

I grew up on my family’s arable farm in Wiltshire and subsequently studied agriculture at the RAU. I now manage a 3,200ac mixed estate in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, and still also help out on the family farm. As an ambassador I want to be a champion and advocate for the fantastic work our industry is doing for food and environment. January 2022

1324430.indd 5

13/01/2022 10:23:52

S&YFAP Jess Langton East Midlands I’m a 21-year-old, 4th generation dairy farmer from Derbyshire milking the pedigree herd of Lachlan Holsteins. I am also in my third and final year of studying BSc Animal Science at the University of Nottingham. Alongside this, I work part time at Genus ABS as a reproductive management specialist on their Insights Programme and sit on the NFU Dairy Board as one of their appointees. As an ambassador, I’m hoping to encourage a greater connection between the countryside and members of the general public, whilst broadening my own knowledge of different sectors and the policies impacting agriculture. I’m excited and looking forward to meeting my fellow, like-minded ambassadors and working with them to create a more diverse and inclusive industry!

Mary Raymond NFU Cymru I grew up on a mixed farm in Pembrokeshire, Wales. My passion is cows and sheep, and I love spending a lot of my time with them when I’m not in university. I’m so happy to be a part of the ambassador programme, especially to meet new people and learn more about the industry I love.

Hannah Buisman South West Having studied languages at Durham University, I returned to the family farm. Alongside arable work and establishing a new farm vineyard, I have set up ‘Spot the Crop’ signs and my own agriculture information website, ‘Agri Unwrapped’. As an ambassador, I hope to connect with like-minded individuals, while creating a greater dialogue with those outside farming circles to further public understanding of British agriculture.

Thomas Saunders East Anglia I come from a mixed farming background and this has led to me discovering many opportunities within Young Farmers. I am looking forward to learning more about the political lobbying of the NFU and being able to contribute to the voice of the NFU through my passion for education, whilst I am currently studying at Harper Adams University.

1324430.indd 6

Rebecca Wilson North East Growing up on the family mixed farm in the heart of North Yorkshire meant that I combined studying with practical farm work. The ambassador programme will allow me to meet people with different and complementary ideas and to promote engagement across the agricultural community.

Keep up to date with how the ambassadors get on over the next year by following @StudentFarmer on Instagram and Twitter

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:24:11

Mae campws Glynllifon ar ystâd ysblennydd Glynllifon ger Caernarfon yn arbenigo mewn cyrsiau diwydiannau’r tir, yn cynnwys:

Our Glynllifon Campus is based on the stunning Glynllifon Estate near Caernarfon and specialises in a range of land-based courses, including:

• Amaethyddiaeth • Astudiaethau Anifeiliaid • Coedwigaeth a Rheoli Cefn Gwlad • Technoleg Diwydiannau’r Tir • Nyrsio Milfeddygol

• Agriculture • Animal Studies • Forestry & Countryside Management • Land-based Technology • Veterinary Nursing

Rydym yn cynhyrchu da byw ar ein fferm fasnachol 300 erw a saif yng nghanol coetir, parcdir a chynefinoedd bywyd gwyllt, ac ymhlith y cyfleusterau a gynigiwn ar ein campws mae:

Our 300 hectares of commercial livestock farm is surrounded by woodland, park and wildlife habitats, and our campus contains a number of facilities, including:

• Y Ganolfan Astudiaethau Anifeiliaid • Y Ganolfan Beirianneg • Bloc addysgu a gostiodd £7.4M i’w godi • Efelychydd ‘Tenstar’ newydd gwerth £70,000

• Animal Studies Centre • Engineering Centre • £7.4 million teaching block • New £70,000 ‘Tenstar’ training simulator

Bob blwyddyn bydd ein myfyrwyr yn cael canlyniadau rhagorol, ac blwyddyn diwethaf y gyfradd llwyddiant ar ein cyrsiau amaethyddol oedd 100%.

Every year our students achieve excellent results, including last year a 100% pass rate in all agriculture courses.

Coleg Glynllifon: 01286 830 261 Caernarfon LL54 5DU www.gllm.ac.uk/glynllifon ymholiadau.glynllifon@gllm.ac.uk enquiries.glynllifon@gllm.ac.uk

PROUD TO PARTNER

WORKING WITH

Supporting the future generation of British agriculture Offering rewarding & diverse career choices… Nutritionist Technical specialists Procurement Customer services

Mill operatives

Logistics

Engineering

Product sales

ABN is a division of AB Agri

Student famer ABN ad rev3.indd 1

Marketing

I.T.

Management

For more information visit: Agri careers webpaage abagri.com/careers Contact abagri.com/contact-us

20/09/2021 09:25

Are you ready to lead in food and fresh produce?

Are you a highly motivated problem solver with strong leadership potential? Then you will relish the challenge of MDS, a graduate programme like no other. Over two years you will take on roles with real responsibility in four different companies, whilst also studying for a Level 5 Leadership & Management qualification. This will stretch you beyond most other graduate schemes, giving you accountability from day one but with the support and training you need to succeed.

If you think you’re ready, contact us now. Visit www.mds-ltd.co.uk to apply.

Discover more at www.mds-ltd.co.uk

Where are they now?

It's not been the year our second cohort of incredible representatives on the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme were expecting. But they achieved some fantastic things, and here is what the future holds for our S&YFAP superstars! Cameron Knee

(Formerly) North East A lot has changed for me since joining the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme more than a year ago, with a move away from farm consultancy in Northumberland to a crop manager's role in the fresh vegetable world of the South Coast. But now a new challenge has arisen, and I am undertaking a farm manager's role in Aberdeenshire on a 3,000 acre mixed farm, with 1,200 cattle, 4,000 sheep and 1,000 acres of arable to keep me busy. The farm specialises in pedigree cattle and sheep, with five different enterprises on the farm making every day a school day.

Lauren David NFU Cymru

Since becoming a Student & Young Farmer Ambassador in 2020, I have started and completed my second year at the University of Reading and am currently on a placement year with ADAS as a farm business consultant, covering Wales and Herefordshire.

Eveey Hunter East Anglia

Since becoming an ambassador, I’ve also become a mum for the first time to a gorgeous little boy named Hunter, the youngest ambassador yet! While I missed out on the fun at the Lord Mayor’s Show, I really enjoyed attending the NFU’s Food Security Summit in December. I’ve had some great opportunities to voice my opinion both in magazines and during webinars. I’ve also made some great friends and I’m sure we will all continue to meet up, share ideas and float around farming events together.

1324483.indd 10

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:25:10

Where are they now?

Joe Bramall North West

Since July 2020, a lot has changed for me. Now a third year at Harper, I am out on placement. I have joined McDonald’s as one of their Progressive Young Farmers working in their beef supply chain. Fortunately, I’m able to live at home so I can work on farm at the weekends! It’s been an incredible year to be an ambassador, seeing in the Agriculture Act 2020 and witnessing the ever-stronger support from the British public who continue to Back British Farming.

Harriet Bartlett East Anglia

I’m now in the final year of my PhD looking at the land use, carbon footprints, antibiotic use, pandemic risk and animal welfare in pig systems. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme gave me. Three particular highlights were being interviewed on BBC Farming Today, presenting at New Scientist Live, and participating in the Lord Mayor's Show.

Karl Franklin South East

I feel like I've achieved quite a lot this year! I have expanded my sheep to start running a second flock, which will give me my replacement ewes. I have also been lucky enough to represent the NFU and British Farming on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, local radio and on BBC South Today. This year as an ambassador has been incredible, I've met some amazing people and attended some brilliant events, such as the Lord Mayor's Show.

Josie Troop

East Midlands Since becoming an ambassador a lot has changed for me, with the programme following me during my first year as a new graduate. It started with a stint in Switzerland, ten months on my family farm, and I have ended up currently as a hamper co-ordinator/ assistant buyer for Flowerline. I have several highlights from the programme, and the NFU team have worked to support, challenge and educate us across this extended year's programme. Like many, one highlight was the fantastic Lord Mayor's Show. This year was also very different for our group, after months of online meetings, meeting my fellow ambassadors on a farm tour was such a surreal experience.

Zoe Legg

South West I joined the S&YFAP at a very vulnerable time of my life. I was still mourning the loss of my Dad, figuring out how to run a farm and still insecure about my anorexia and mental health struggles. For me, the pandemic was actually a saving grace. It gave me time to reflect and really focus on myself. I am now studying agri-food marketing and business so it marries perfectly with my passion for supporting British produce. Alongside this Mum and I are starting to get to grips with the farm and I now see potential exciting opportunities for diversification instead of a duty-bound legacy I had to uphold.

Nia Borsey NFU Cymru

Becoming a S&YF ambassador has been not only a great achievement in life, but one of the best experiences. The programme has provided great opportunities for us all and new pathways to be opened up to us. The absolute personal highlight of mine has been representing British Farming at the Lord Mayor's Show in London. Walking those streets and shouting about British farming was very surreal and certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity! Although my time has officially come to an end; once an ambassador always an ambassador right?!

Katie Smith

West Midlands Taking part in the S&YFAP has been an incredible experience. There have been so many opportunities to meet new people and attend amazing events. Since starting the programme there have been lots of changes, but the biggest one for me has been starting vet school. I think my experiences with the NFU have really helped to build my confidence and I really look forward to continuing my involvement!

Matt Rollason North West

As my time as an ambassador comes to a close, and 12 months on from buying our smallholding, life seems busier than ever. 2021 seems to have flown by as I have been occupied with various building projects to accommodate my pedigree Hereford cattle. My role at Dunbia remains engaging at a time when the beef industry is under pressure to prove our environmental credentials. I have been able to use the programme to highlight the sustainability of British beef through interviews with the BBC, my article in the Times and in person at the Lord Mayor's Show.

January 2022

1324483.indd 11

13/01/2022 10:25:45

Study tips

ADD COLOUR

Including vibrant colours in your notes not only ups the fun, but also helps you to digest information more easily. Don’t limit yourself to highlighters either – invest in vivid paper, card, and stickies too.

ORGANISE A STUDY SQUAD

Though you’ll be taking your exams individually, establishing a study group is guaranteed to make revision more fun. While explaining your answers to friends will consolidate your learning, sharing jokes between jotting down notes will keep you upbeat.

TAKE REGULAR BREAKS

TURN UP THE VOLUME

Music is well-known for its moodboosting effects, and a good playlist can really skyrocket your study session mood. Select cheerful genres like jazz, swing, or pop.

INVOLVE YOUR CIRCLE

Enlist the help of family and friends to help test what you’ve learnt. Write down a set of key questions and encourage them to test you both at scheduled times and spontaneously too – being put on the spot will really check your knowledge.

Research shows that not taking regular breaks can significantly reduce academic performance. Whether you take a walk in the park or Facetime a friend, prioritise rest to boost your productivity.

TO IMPROVE YOUR EXAM TECHNIQUE USE PICTURES AND DIAGRAMS

Using visual aids can help you to remember complex topics when it matters most. Whether you use pictures, symbols, or diagrams, make your visuals fun and watch how easy it is to recall key ideas.

SNACK ON SUPERFOODS

During exam season, keeping your mind and body healthy is key. Try to limit caffeine, stay away from sugary snacks and drink plenty of water. Choose healthy options like blueberries, dark chocolate and nuts to boost your concentration and memory.

1447493.indd 12

Features Editor Caitlin Kelly gives her top tips for getting the best out of the hours you’re putting in for exam season

PILLOW TALK

Forget the all-nighters, getting enough kip is vital for performing at your best. Aim for between seven and eight hours sleep a night to keep your concentration and energy levels high.

MOVE YOUR FEET

Studying often requires lots of time sat still, and this can make you feel restless. Whether you take 20 minutes out for an online Pilates class or do some at-the-desk stretches, regular exercise will increase your motivation and alertness.

MIX IT UP

Using the same method to study for hours on end is likely to create boredom and, in turn, reduce how efficiently you take in information. Swing between practice papers, using flashcards, asking family members to test you, and reciting notes to stay engaged.

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:25:49

Providers Of Next Generation Superfast Broadband

We can provide a faster and more reliable 4G superfast broadband internet connec on with UNLIMITED data. Prices start from £32.40pm and £159.99 for installa on.

If you have slow internet then please feel free to get in touch.

Tel: 0300 302 1023 Email: Sales@rural4gbroadband.net Visit: www.rural4gbroadband.net

Yorkshire Dama COVER STORY

Razan and her husband Raghid

Make cheese grate again Orla McIlduff speaks to Razan Alsous, a former Syrian refugee and owner of Yorkshire Dama Cheese who knows that quality ingredients really matter when it comes to the tastiest products

’m going to try really hard not to make it cheesy, let it brie and stay away from the plethora of cheesy puns I gouda go straight to. Now that’s out of my system, I can actually just share this inspiring story about one lady’s unexpected journey into cheesemaking. Like many of us here in the UK, Razan Alsous knew she wanted to go to university when she left school, so she studied pharmacology in her hometown of Damascus, Syria. But unlike most of us, her world was soon turned upside down by war, destroying the life she had planned. Razan and her family fled to Yorkshire in England in 2012.

Arriving with nothing

She tells me that settling in was

1461745.indd 14

a challenge, as they came from Syria with nothing: “It wasn’t an easy thing because when I was in Syria, I lived in Damascus. If you don’t know Damascus, it’s the capital of Syria and it’s got lots of high-rise buildings. I hadn’t seen many animals before in my life and I saw more cows here than I’d ever seen, it was very interesting, very relaxing.” After getting a family home established in Huddersfield, Razan began searching for a job, but despite her scientific background, her lack of references and work history in the UK made it extremely difficult. Not one to wallow, she knew she had her three children to think of, so began to plan, considering her own expertise and opportunities available to her. “When something in your life changes so much, you really need to accept that

reality. I began to think: ‘What next? What are you planning for the future? How can we recover from our loss?’ So that’s when the idea of the business came through.”

Quality British milk

Razan was in awe of the quality of milk British farmers produce but was constantly disappointed by not being able to find tasty ‘squeaky cheese’ like she ate at home in Syria for breakfast. The closest she could find was Cypriot halloumi, but found it wasn’t a patch on what she remembered eating at home in the springtime, when the rainfall at that time of year in Syria resulted in better quality milk. “I spotted a gap in the market,” Razan explains. “The rainfall here means British milk is amazing. Halloumi is usually or traditionally made from goat and sheep’s milk because of the desert geography so they made halloumi using their own local resources. And in Yorkshire we’ve got more cow’s milk so I started to work out what the difference was. I found that the melting point and the protein and fat percentage is affecting different types, like different levels will affect it.” Doing experiments to recreate the Syrian cheese she remembered from her kitchen in Huddersfield, Razan was delighted with the results: “The taste is amazing, wonderful even! We found it's absolutely different from the commercial halloumi found in supermarkets. Usually they make it from powdered milk; why do I need to use powdered milk while the

January 2022

13/01/2022 11:18:42

Yorkshire Dama quality fresh milk is available?” And so Razan and her husband Raghid embarked on their journey with a startup loan of just £2,500 from the Local Enterprise Agency and got the approval to start manufacturing cheese in June 2014. After just four months of production, they had won a World Cheese Award Bronze Prize 2014/15.

Trademark issues and opportunities

As many who produce food will know, branding is key. However, Yorkshire Dama cheese came up against a bit of a roadblock when they tried to market their cheese as halloumi. Halloumi is a protected designation of origin (PDO), meaning anything labelled as halloumi must be produced on the island of Cyprus or in Cypriot/Turkish communities. This has caused issues for Razan and Raghid, mainly because people in the UK know what halloumi is, and it would be easier to market as such. However, Razan has found a silver lining: “What I’ve done is switched the name to ‘Squeaky Cheese’ as the character of the halloumi is squeaky and it has worked well to avoid the competition actually. “Our target is to make a life and a living. We just want to make our product sell and to make a future for our children. So we decided just to take the competition out of the picture and work more creatively. We’ve developed around eight flavours of the squeaky cheese, while everything else on the market is either plain or chilli.”

Sourcing local

It’s unsurprising that sourcing the right milk is really important to Razan, and she takes the ‘buy local’ message to an almost extreme level by purchasing milk from a farm just a mile away from their home. And the expansion opportunities keep

“Our target is to make a life and a living. We just want to make our product sell and make a future for our children.” coming: “Recently, during the pandemic actually, we’ve heard about two farms, one producing sheep’s milk and one producing goat’s milk. They were suffering from the pandemic, so we decided just to launch new products, one which is 100% sheep’s milk squeaky cheese, and another that is 100% goat milk squeaky cheese. “In addition to this we are making sheep’s milk and cows’ milk yogurt called labneh from a traditional recipe and it is spreadable.” Yorkshire Dama also makes butter, butter ghee and their take on squeaky cheese fries – ‘hello-mi’ fries.

The English farming community

Razan and Raghid’s three children (Yara, Angie and Kareem) are a big factor in

their parents’ achievements: “They’re very interested and proud of the journey we have passed through. They are very confident and they help us sometimes; it’s a very nice family feeling.” She says she’s felt very welcome in the English farming community from the start, explaining: “People think that it is a closed industry, but it’s not. Maybe because people are living in nature, they’ve got very nice manners. It’s a friendly atmosphere. Honestly, I’ve never been in a situation where people didn’t accept me. “Oppositely, I have had lots of good comments where people say ‘you are welcome in Yorkshire’. Good farmers are clever people and they want the best. They’ve got really good time management and managing skills. So when you are in business, then you know that dealing with each other will be beneficial for both of us. Honestly, I didn’t find any difficulties in being accepted.” She has, however, had people questioning her: “They ask: ‘What are you doing here?’, especially when I am in any cheese competition. But I am different and relate it to human curiosity. People have the right to ask. And when I tell them ‘this is my story, this is what I’m doing’, they appreciate it.” I think there’s very few who wouldn’t appreciate what Razan and Yorkshire Dama cheese are doing. She’s flying the flag for Syria, for women, for entrepreneurs and for British produce. What a star. January 2022

1461745.indd 15

13/01/2022 10:26:06

Don't Get Scurvy

rest of this page is editorial Yorkshire Dama Squeaky Cheese Patties (serves 4)

Main image: istock

What recipe isn't improved by adding cheese? These patties are delicious, the veg makes them properly nutritious - I'll have three please! Ingredients:

2 packs original or chilli Yorkshire Squeaky Cheese 1 courgette 300g grated carrot 1 small red onion 50g sweetcorn 1 British egg Add a British beef 75g breadcrumbs burger to your buns 1 tbsp dried coriander for the ultimate 1 tbsp fresh coriander in meaty, cheesy Lettuce leaves goodness! 2 large tomatoes (sliced)

LEVEL UP

4 burger buns

Instructions: • •

•

Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan oven). Prepare the vegetables. Grate the carrots and courgette, chop the onion, and boil the sweetcorn. Finely chop the squeaky cheese and fresh coriander. Place the vegetables, breadcrumbs, squeaky cheese, beaten egg, and coriander into a mixing bowl. Mix together. Form the mixture into four patties and set them on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Bake for about 20-25mins until golden brown. Fill each bun with a patty, add a slice of tomato and some lettuce (and some more squeaky cheese if you want) and serve!

Are you being herd? Have your say on the important issues facing farming today We need farmers to take part in paid market research. Join our Opinion Harvester panel to participate in online surveys, telephone interviews and focus groups. Sign up today at www.opinionharvester.com

07487 510407 | hello@fmresearch.co.uk | www.fmresearch.co.uk

January 2022 FMOH_FramersGuide_88x129mm.indd 1

1464667.indd 16

14/12/2021 14:59 13/01/2022 10:26:17

Grow your career with a WCUC degree Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) was launched as a new university centre by Warwickshire College Group in 2021. WCUC will expand its degree level provision, which is already delivered across six colleges in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The new university centre follows on from WCG becoming the first college group in the UK to be granted Bachelor degree awarding powers by the Office for Students, alongside the Foundation degree awarding powers already in place. This includes Royal Leamington Spa College, Evesham College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College, Pershore College and Warwick Trident College. Degrees taught at Moreton Morrell continue to be awarded by Coventry University. Degree courses will also be run from Malvern Hills Centre for Digital & Cyber Technology.

• Agri-Tech

• Animal

• Veterinary Nursing

• Canine

• Veterinary Physiotherapy

• Business

• Equine

Visit an in-person Open Events to find out more: • Pershore College // 29 Jan 2022

• Moreton Morrell College // 18 June 2022

To book your place, visit:

wcuc.ac.uk/degreeopenevents

Mental Health

Have the tough conversations

Member Georgia Helme delves into the trials and tribulations of looking after your mental health while farming

y great, great, greatgrandfather was a dairy farmer with a difference; he milked his herd in the middle of London on Euston Station. He had been uprooted from Wales, his surrounding family, and his Welsh speaking community as the British Army wanted to convert the land into a firing range, and so he was pushed to start a new business in what was a foreign country to him. He set up a town dairy on Hampstead Road, which was a success by all accounts. However, the dark clouds of depression enveloped him after repeated outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease swept through his herd. He lost his livestock, livelihood, and he took his own life. I can only imagine the turmoil that he went through without a support network of neighbours and a modern-day welfare system. Incredibly, his stoical wife brought up their four young children and took on the business. Mental health struggles aren’t a new phenomenon for farmers, but for generations those dark clouds that are

1463087.indd 18

prone to creep in at our most vulnerable moments have been talked about in hushed tones, or not spoken of at all. This tragedy had been shrouded in secrecy for 130 years. Today, farmers are going through tumultuous change and are looking towards having to make radical adjustments themselves. We now have brilliant professional support systems and safety nets in place that our forefathers didn’t have and that my ancestor was so lacking. Yet, a recent survey by RABI found that more than a third of farmers could be struggling with depression. Fear in discussing mental wellbeing is an added pressure that doesn’t have to exist in our modern society. In more recent times, my family have also experienced some trials and tribulations. Back in the 1990s, my parents decided to diversify. I myself have branched out into an urban industry, recently graduating with a media and journalism degree and now working in current affairs, but I’m always drawn back to my rural roots. While analysing the portrayal of rural

affairs and rural areas in factual television for my dissertation project, I found that our idyllic countryside is often rose-tinted by the media and people don’t take rural issues as seriously as they should. Here, I look at some of the the evolving stresses and strains in rural communities that others may struggle to understand.

Climate change

Oh God, the weather. If we need rain, the clouds shut up shop. A frost to kill off disease? It’s the mildest new year on record. A bit of sunshine? We get relentless downpours. Global warming doesn’t mean that we can top up the t-shirt tan, but that our

January 2022

13/01/2022 11:21:10

Mental Health

“As soon as many farmers step outside their front door, they’re walking into their workplace, meaning it’s often difficult to switch off from the pressure of work” weather patterns are becoming more extreme and intense. Climate change is affecting farmers across the globe, including us. I was incredibly fortunate to be part of the BBC’s COP26 coverage in November. It was a huge focus, but additionally a lot of the British public were only made aware just how much farmers are at the mercy of the elements last year. The floods and droughts on Clarkson’s Farm highlighted just how much of working life is out of farmers’ control, making things even more challenging.

Money struggles

Farmers are also facing a huge wave of change in the economic climate: the rollout of a new farm support scheme in England, reductions in Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments, looming trade deal agreements and all the forecasts this year, with postBrexit labour shortages, TB, bird flu and huge input prices already taking effect. As soon as many farmers step outside their front door, they’re walking into their workplace, meaning it’s often difficult to switch off from the pressure of work. The work isn’t 9-5 and little sleep can make problems worse. Caring for your head and looking after your mental wellbeing is hugely important as a farmer, especially as financial hardship and poverty are so often

viewed as an urban problem, so monetary issues in rural areas are easily disregarded.

Isolation

Lockdowns and Covid-19 have given the general public an idea of what isolation really feels like, but farmers have been living and working ‘remotely’ long before it become the norm. Physical distance between people was only exacerbated during the pandemic with the closure of social hubs like pubs, livestock markets and the suspension of Young Farmers’ meetings. This had a huge impact on the way that we could share the ups and downs of daily life, and everything seemed to move online all at once. However, issues with digital technology and internet connectivity due to the digital divide have also meant that those in the most rural areas are struggling to access mental health support and resources. This is why it’s so important that we look out for one another, keep a weather eye, and ask the simple question: “Are you alright?”. If you’re not satisfied with the response, ask again. An ex-young farmer who works for my local mental health

charity held a talk with Herefordshire YFC to offer advice on wellbeing and break some of the stigma around this topic. He brought the importance of this second question to our attention when he opened up to say that it saved his life 15 years ago. So really, the only difference between my great, great, great-grandfather and this speaker was just the attitude around them at the time. While reaching out for help and being vulnerable might seem like the hardest step, speaking up for others and speaking out is vital in our communities. Maybe if my relative had been able speak to someone, or phone a family member or a friend, the outcome might have been different for him. If you don’t do anything else today, pick up the phone to one of your old friends or neighbours and ask them how they are or tell them how you’re feeling. A kind word, a quick chat and a bit of concern goes a long way.

CHARITIES AND HELPLINES • • • • • • •

The Farming Community Network 0845 367 9990 Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution 0300 303 7373 Gatepost for RSABI 0300 111 4166 Mind Infoline 0300 123 3393 YANA (You Are Not Alone) 0300 323 0400 Samaritans 0845 790 9090 Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide 0300 111 5065

If you have concerns about somebody you know, you should always consider it to be a medical emergency and contact emergency services on 999.

January 2022

1463087.indd 19

13/01/2022 10:26:35

VALE TRAINING SERVICES LTD

FIRST FOR RURAL AND LAND BASED TRAINING

A wide range of skills training all levels catered for

Vale Training offer courses covering

Health & Safety • Skills • Management All of which can be tailored to meet the client’s personal needs

Low instructor to trainee ratios Lantra, BASIS, City and Guilds & NPORS registered NPTC assessments available

For more information contact us at any of the following

Tel: 01296 612201 Email: info@valetraining.co.uk www.valetraining.co.uk

In his own words In the last edition of Student Farmer, Charlie Kifford told us about entering the farming industry while living with cerebral palsy. This time, Joss Naylor, who also lives with cerebral palsy, explains how life has been for him growing up on a farm.

In his own words

COVER STORY

John Cottle

abin fever on a 5,000-acre hill farm takes some explaining. I’m Joss and I’ve just turned 15, and I live with a brain injury called cerebral palsy (CP). My CP mainly affects my ability to walk, although I do have other issues. I didn’t walk at all until I was three-anda-half years old, after having Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in St. Louis, America. The operation involved having roughly one third of my nerves in my spinal cord surgically cut. This is an operation that carries considerable risk, and has taken the past decade to rehabilitate from. The rehabilitation has been constant throughout my life. The other challenge of this operation was getting my dad into a position that he was able to leave the farm. There is never a good time to leave such a large responsibility behind and to place it in the hands of others.

Farming with CP

Practically, I am limited on the farm. I walk around fields but I’m not allowed to walk in the ones containing cows. I may not be able to physically do things like wrestle a sheep out of a bog, but my eyes work well and so does my mouth – when I observe things (such as holes in the fence where sheep may escape), I am able to report back. On the farm there is me, my mum, my dad, and we have one full-time member of staff as well as several seasonal contractors and part-time staff that come in at busy times or fulfil specific roles, such as the farm secretary. Other than that, the only visitors are vets and the occasional sales

1448579.indd 22

representative for feeds or fertiliser. I personally have a small flock of Jacob sheep, and I also breed cats. I frequently have to look for different ways to be involved. As a result, many of the more technical aspects, or jobs that cater to my skillset, often fall to me. My dad isn’t exactly Bill Gates when it comes to computers. As a result, I often have to read and dictate what the catalogues for upcoming sales are, including entries and reports. In addition, I prepare the VAT for the accountant and help Dad with online banking, invoicing and emails. My mum is particularly keen for me to have real responsibilities around the farm even if they are not in the most physical capacity, although the ability to open and close a

gate properly appears to have passed the general public by. The things I wish I was more able at would be that when my dad is struggling physically and just needs an extra pair of hands. I wish I could be more practical and be able to help him. I wish that when I could see an animal in distress (quite often trapped in a fence or bog) that I was able to help it instead of merely calling for help. Finally, I wish I was able to traverse the moor and other rough ground easier, to be able to see the things that I cannot, and to give me (and my parents) peace of mind that I’d be ok in physically demanding situations.

Off-farm life

CP affects me in many different ways. Chiefly, it’s quite time consuming, as things (especially involving fine motor skills or mobility) either take a long time or I have to factor in my physio, but there are definitely some positives to having CP. Academically, my brain injury is an

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:26:49

In his own words

ABOVE: Joss and his mum Nicola

It takes a variety of skills

“Some farmers may find it hard to understand your disability, but if you get better at explaining your limitations and who you are, then most people can work around you” advantage, as subconsciously, my brain has had to resolve basic things (like swallowing) in a much more complex way from the beginning of my life, than in a person without CP. Therefore, my brain, if you think of it like a muscle, has been working much harder on my physical shortcomings, which has made it difficult in some areas but has been an advantage in others; my brain has been learning to learn complex information from much earlier than an ‘average’ person, making my educational life very easy. I am an A* student in all of my subjects, except the obvious: PE. I was 12 when I wrote an essay assessing the arguments for and against

lab-grown meat, and I was the runner up in the Frederick Walker Essay Prize at Manchester Grammar. It was widely shared on Facebook through the British Farming Forum. Off the farm, I play football (mainly at school, although I’m obviously not on the first team). I also enjoy horse riding, although my circulation is rubbish, making it hard to ride in the winter. My personal ambitions are to finish my GCSEs and A-Levels to the same standard that I have been working at. I’d like to go to Cambridge to read Economics or Land Economics, as I’m interested in business and the links that agriculture has with the wider economy and the world.

Confidence and variety of skills are very important on a farm, and therefore, everyone has something to offer, whether it be computer or office based, bottling a lamb in spring, or using machinery. Some farmers may find it hard to understand your disability, but if you get better at explaining your limitations and who you are, then most people can work around you. Regulation is now a larger part of farming than it used to be, whether that be through movement of animals, medicine records or financial costs. Keeping track of everything is now more data and technology orientated (farmers are notoriously bad at this part). It might not be the hands-on role that you’re wanting, but when it comes to dealing with animals, there’s not a lot that can be done with them, as they are unpredictable and difficult to control for even the most agile of farmers. However, most modern farm machinery could be operated remotely or by anyone. The thing that is difficult (for me at least) about tractor or machinery driving is getting in and out, but operation is fairly simple with practice. I haven’t even attempted to get in a Bobcat, my legs won’t go there! I’d like to continue to keep my sheep and will always want to be involved in farming in some form, although it probably will not be my main career. I’d like to do something, although I’m not sure what, to modernise farming going forward and to assist it, as agriculture is the basis of the global economy. I’m looking forward to my future and being able to change farming for the better. January 2022

1448579.indd 23

13/01/2022 10:27:02

Lord Mayor's Show

The NFU returned to the streets of London for the Lord Mayor's Show in November, and our Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors let the good times roll. Jess Stobart reports. 26

1405057.indd 26

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:27:15

Lord Mayor's Show

CAUSING A MEDIA FRENZY

Lloyd Sturdy

he NFU received an incredibly warm reception on the streets of London at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show as we joined forces with the Worshipful Company of Farmers, New Holland, Red Tractor and Surrey Docks City Farm. Featuring New Holland’s state-of-the-art T6.180 Methane-powered tractor and FR550 forage harvester, the dairy-themed float showed the bumper crowds that British farmers are proud to produce high-quality, climate friendly food. After a year or so in the making, it was so good to be back out on the streets of London with the Back British Farming message. The public turned out in their hundreds of thousands, lining the streets from start to finish and cheering for British farmers, making for a brilliant atmosphere. Not only did the British public create an electric atmosphere, the Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors were full of energy and enthusiasm – evidenced by one or two rather croaky voices come the end of the parade.

The green (blue) machines

The imposing machinery caught the attention of passers-by and this gave the ambassadors a chance to explain their green credentials. North West ambassador Matt Rollason explains: “The New Holland equipment was really impressive and shows how British agriculture is coming together to make better use of natural resources, in this case, with a methane-powered tractor – a world first! It was surreal to see this high-tech kit roaming the streets of central London instead of open fields, but it demonstrates how modern farming methods are evolving to feed a growing global population.” NFU Cymru ambassador Lauren David agreed with Matt, saying: “The coolest thing that New Holland had on display at the Lord Mayor’s Show had to be the T6 Methane Power Tractor. “This is the world's first 100% methane powered tractor and is key to CO₂ reduction – in

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador from the North West Joe Bramall was also interviewed live on BBC One where he highlighted the NFU's net zero ambition. Afterwards, he said of the experience: “Being able to share the future farming message around net zero and thanking consumers for buying British live on BBC 1 was amazing. I hope that I’ve made at least one person think about where their food comes from and that #BuyingBritish is #BuyingSustainable.”

line with the NFU's net zero carbon ambition. This is vital to becoming more sustainable on farm while producing high quality British produce.”

Feeling the love

The group left London after the event a very happy bunch. Representing West Midlands at the Lord Mayor’s show for a second time, Katie Smith said: “I felt so lucky to be able to experience the Lord Mayor’s Show this year – it was so great to see so much support for farmers throughout the streets of London. Having taken part once before, I knew what to expect this time and was able to really get stuck in spreading the message to Back British Farming!” For Ambassador Harriet Bartlett from East Anglia, the event was a world away from how she normally spends her time, working on her academic rsearch for her PhD. She was taken by how grateful the crowds were to farmers, saying: “I had several people look me straight in the eye and say ‘thank you’. It was such a lovely atmosphere.” Cameron Knee felt the positivity from the public had made his long journey down from Scotland worthwhile. He said: “The best part of the two days for me was hearing the cheers from the crowds, with some shouting ‘thank you farmers’ and ‘keep up the hard work’. ”

Karl Franklin, Karen Mercer (Master of Worshipful Company of Farmers) and Josie Troop with a hamper of produce for the Lord Mayor

1405057.indd 27

13/01/2022 10:27:26

Y RH AG LEN FFE RM IO NE WY DD NA FYD DW CH AM EI CH OL LI! Effeithlonrwydd, arfer gorau, cydymffurfiaeth ac arbed amser ac arian yw’r materion sydd wedi sbarduno menter ddiweddaraf Cyswllt Ffermio, sef rhaglen deledu fisol, 30 munud o hyd, yn arbennig ar gyfer ffermwyr a choedwigwyr yng Nghymru.

THE NEW FARM ING PROG RAM ME THAT YOU WON ’T WAN T TO MISS ! Efficiency, best practice, compliance and saving time and money are the driving forces behind Farming Connect’s latest venture, a dedicated half-hour, monthly tv programme for farmers and foresters in Wales.

HDR

FCTV Farming Connect

Gwyliwch nawr trwy sganio’r cod Watch now by scanning the code 3 RHAGLEN AR GAEL / 3 EPISODES AVAILABLE

Portrait

1:1

TRACTORS FOR HIRE Short video

Video

Photo

New Holland T7.210 From

£455 per Week

BOOK NOW

DAVISON HIRE

YEW TREE FARM, A5, CRACKLEY BANK, SHIFNAL, TF11 8QT EMAIL: SALES@DAVISON-FORKLIFT.CO.UK TEL: 01952 915060 A MALCOLM HARRISON COMPANY

Study tips

Set yourself a budget

Spend less on supplies

Create a list of your incomings (loans, savings, wage etc.) and subtract your outgoings (rent, utilities, food, and travel costs) to see how much you have left to spend. Once you know your overall budget for each month, you can break that down into manageable mini budgets for all your major spending categories. Some things are going to need more budget than others, so think about how best to distribute it. If you’re still not sure how to calculate it, there are many resources online, including MoneyHelper's free money planner.

It may seem tricky to keep those course-related costs down, but there are ways to cut back and budget even on the essentials. Find out at the beginning of the course what financial obligations you’ll have throughout the year and factor them into your budget. There might be ways to keep costs down on expensive university books, including buying them second-hand or from a textbook swapping site, or checking if they are available at the library.

HOW TO

SAVE MONEY Yolt gives its six tips when looking after the pennies and getting the most from your student experience

CASE STUDY

Make your food budget last Grocery spending is often one of the biggest expenses. To keep to your budget, make a shopping list to prevent you from impulse buying. Try batch cooking your food and freezing some for later, wasting less and having meals on hand for those evenings when you’re tempted to spend a week’s worth of food budget on a takeaway.

Socialise smarter Socialising is a big part of university life, so it makes sense for a large portion of your budget to be spent on it. Set yourself limits so you can keep on track and enjoy the fun all year long, as even small expenses can quickly add up. Peer pressure is real, but you’re not the only one feeling it – and many of us spend more than we otherwise would due to social pressures. Suggesting a night in, or a low-cost activity is the perfect solution.

Dominque Wilcox is a marketing graduate currently working for agricultural bank, Oxbury. She speaks about managing her finances during her time at Harper Adams University: “During my time at Harper Adams University, it was important for me to keep track of what I was spending each month while keeping to a tight budget. The money I earnt while working through harvest would be used throughout the year to support my student loan, dividing this between accommodation, social and general university expenses. "After graduating, how I manage my finances has not changed. Each month I set aside fixed costs for bills, socialising and accommodation. "To avoid any unnecessary spending, I set up separate money pots within my banking app, so that anything that would fall outside of my normal budget allowance can be factored in without impacting my long-term savings goal.”

Look for accounts with perks Find out about potential moneysaving perks, including cashback rewards on purchases with specific retailers. Some banks offer new students incentives like gift cards, travel passes, or a fee-free overdraft. However, try and keep your overdraft usage strictly for emergencies and leave it out of the equation when you’re calculating budgets. Those free interest rates can start to creep up…

Don't let tariffs catch you out Texting, video calling and social media make your university experience even more fun. Yet hefty mobile bills can really drain your bank account of muchneeded funds. Spend time speaking with your provider to ensure you've got the right contract, and the best deal available. Take advantage of special discounts for students too, and you'll soon be barely noticing that monthly payment. January 2022

1405623.indd 29

13/01/2022 10:27:29

Careers

Lorna Maybery spoke to graduate Oliver Baker, who is caring for cucumbers at the world’s first natural light growing centre John Cottle

n a world where we have to keep up with a growing population and demonstrate our environmental credentials, British farmers are looking to new and innovative ways to improve their businesses. Company RIPE (Rapid Installation Process of ETFE) builds greenhouses using ETFE, a fluorinebased plastic polymer that transmits up to 95% of natural light with a fraction of the mass of glass. It’s an innovation RIPE hopes will transform how we grow under cover as the material lets in full natural light, is easy to install and long-lasting and not susceptible to weather damage. To prove the efficacy of ETFE, RIPE has constructed the world’s first natural light growing (NLG) centre at University of Warwick Life Sciences, Wellesbourne, to scientifically prove the impact of full spectrum natural light on crops within a protective environment.

The first crop is cucumbers, looked after by sustainable crop production graduate Oliver Baker, who tells us about his job.

How did you end up working at the Natural Light Growing Centre?

I ran out of money for my accommodation while finishing my Master’s in sustainable crop production, so I was looking for work. A job came up for an agricultural assistant in a sustainable greenhouse looking to produce the next level of crop production and it tied in well with my degree. I started working 25-30 hours a week in February alongside my studies and it developed from there.

What are you growing?

We have about 2,000 cucumber plants in here. The greenhouse is split into two halves, baby cucumbers and

1421647.indd 30

mini cucumbers. For the baby the sizing is 2.5cm wide and 8-12cm long. With the minis it’s done by a weight specification, and they need to be 105g to 150g – the babys are roughly 40-80g. Originally, we had two varieties; one to produce babys and one for minis, but we found the variety that we are currently growing is more resistant to disease and can produce both mini and baby cucumbers consistently.

What do you do day-to-day?

I oversee everything from harvesting plants when they reach the right specifications to dropping the crop as they grow to the top of their strings and moving them so they have room to grow. We have two different harvesting cycles, one from February through to July, then July to October. The standard is three. By doing this, we can produce more, as between cycles you get a three-week window where the crop isn’t big enough to

produce fruit, so two crops a year gives us three extra weeks of production. Originally, I was measuring to make sure I picked the right size, but having picked hundreds of thousands of cucumbers, I don’t do that now!

What nutrients do the plants need?

We grow the cucumbers in rockwool with a dripper that goes to each plant and individually supplies a nutrient mixture organised by one of our agronomists, so each plant gets exactly what it needs. This also feeds into a bigger slab of rockwool that all the plants have a shared root base in, so they can all get the same nutrients, even if one of the drips isn’t functioning properly. We have a variety of biological controls, mostly parasitic wasps and mites that then eat the other insects in here. Then we do a bit of disease mapping to see what is coming in and what we can change in the future.

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:27:40

Careers

“I did my Master’s research in here looking at research and development opportunities on how we can improve the hydroponic system and growing environment”

How has the project benefited you?

Hands-on experience is important, and this is great for that. I did my Master’s research in here looking at research and development opportunities on how we can improve the hydroponic system and growing environment, looking at things like having a wildflower meadow outside to encourage insects to come inside to pollinate. We are currently using rockwool to match commercial production techniques, but will be trialling coir and our own new biologicallyactive substrates from this year. I also have the idea of creating an eco-label that could promote the quality of our fruit as more sustainable, environmentally friendly and of a higher quality.

Will you stay now you have your Master’s degree?

We have two years of Innovate funding and we are going to be doing some interesting stuff with the bio-stimulants, so for the foreseeable future yes. I know the crop and the environment and I should be able to find some interesting research to prove what we are doing here is the next step, particularly with global warming becoming more of an issue. The more we can get out of a crop and put longevity into it, the better it is for the UK’s long-term food security and for public health if we can produce a more nutritious food. There’s all this complicated stuff, but the bottom line is simple, if it tastes good, people are going to buy it. That’s the end goal.

Founder, MD and CEO of Evolve Growing Solutions and RIPE Phillip Lee explained a bit more about the science behind the trial:

What makes ETFE so special?

The critical thing is that this material is invisible to the plant as it lets in all the natural light, unlike glass. You would never get a suntan in your conservatory but you would get a hell of a tan in here. It also lasts for a long time and, if you get hole in it, you can come back 20 years later and the hole won’t have propagated. The material is inert and reusable. ETFE doesn’t reflect light and it’s self-cleaning.

How did this project come about?

We reached out to CHAP, (Crop Health and Protection), one of four UK Agri-Tech Innovation Centres, and they said they would like to get behind us. There were a couple of possible sites for this, but Warwick is internationally famous for research so this was the place to establish the facility.

George Beach heads up the Mudwalls fresh produce brand and is working with RIPE to market their cucumbers and bring their innovative growing techniques to the attention of the buying public. He is doing this through a partnership with online retailer 44 Foods, which is able to take produce from the farm to the consumer in a minimal journey, providing the freshest possible produce.

What is Mudwalls?

Explain Mudwalls' involvement with RIPE

What is 44 Foods?

Mudwalls Farm Ltd brings farmers and growers together and is the bridge to taking that product to market. We work closely with several small independent retailers, as well as bigger retailers.

Mudwalls is working in association with RIPE, the developer of this innovative growing system which is producing amazing cucumbers. As a small grower, it can be difficult to get your produce to a wider market, and so we are facilitating this and selling the cucumbers through 44 Foods. We can also tell the story of how they are grown and what makes them so good. Through the website we can tell consumers that this isn’t just a cucumber, this is a cucumber grown using innovative methods, resulting in superior flavour. For the smaller grower it’s often a better route to market than the multiple retailers.

44 Foods is an online retailer business set up to deliver a great fresh product from the farm into the box and out to the consumer. We are reducing the distribution time and the mileage and giving the consumer the benefit of virtually picking it themselves.

January 2022

1421647.indd 31

13/01/2022 10:27:52

Careers

Orla McIlduff speaks to Charlotte Mitchell to find out about how she made her mark in meat

Here at Student Farmer, we’re all about empowering people who are breaking the mould when it comes to careers in the food and farming sector. Charlotte Mitchell has done just that – she’s the owner of Charlotte’s Butchery in Newcastle, paving the way for women in a male-dominated industry.

You've got your own butchery now, so tell me a bit about its ethos.

When I was one, we moved from Brampton, in Cumbria, to Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. I went to an allgirls’ school. A lot of my mum’s side of the family are farmers and she is actually an agricultural consultant. When I was five I apparently wanted to ‘look after the cattle’ on the town moor and I suppose in a bizarre way – I am!

I’ve had the shop for nine years now and I can honestly say I run the shop in the same way I’d run a church. I believe strongly in community values and the importance of every individual customer. I spend a lot of time learning and then remembering what pleases my clients, whether that’s allergens or personal preference. My job is to know what sort of thing you like and tailor the meat we sell to fulfil what you want.

Q A

Tell me about yourself, where you grew up and your childhood

An early start then! What did you study when you left school and what were your career ambitions at that point?

I went on to study Theology & Religious Studies at university and I was fully set on being a priest – well a vicar – in the Church of England!

Main image: istock

Q A

That's a bit different to what you've ended up doing, so how did you get into butchery? While studying for my degree I got a part-time job in the now-closed butchers Scott’s of York and I absolutely loved it.

1449798.indd 32

Where does the meat you use come from? Do you think it’s important to have strong relationships with your suppliers?

I have been very lucky with my suppliers. While we do value our relationship with our farmers, we also work very closely with the abattoirs. They have been very supportive over the years and I’ve always maintained we are as good as the produce we sell. But I also think it’s worth noting that a good butcher can rescue meat. We all hate waste, especially when there is money involved, but, truly,

that animal has sacrificed its life so we eat well – so I make sure to get the best out of any carcass that comes into the shop.

Q A

What is your opinion about the environmental credentials of British meat?

I love answering this. The truth of the matter is we use local. Local farms, slaughtermen, delivery drivers. The

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:28:01

“Butchery definitely goes hand in hand with farming - how else are you going to know if what you're selling is good? The links in the chain are what make agriculture in this country fantastic” food miles aren’t high and it’s always in season. Considering the full beast, offal and bones, you can feed 2,000 people off one heifer. Surely the numbers speak for themselves. I understand that people want to eat less meat. So eat less if you must – but eat quality.

Q A

Do you feel being a woman is unusual in your industry? Have you faced any obstacles?

It’s less unusual than it was, but for me, whether male or female, it’s important to work hard. I’ve faced very few challenges with being female, I think it’s more a case of the longer you’ve been established, the more respect you get. And certainly being a young female when I bought the shop did raise a few eyebrows. But it’s important to be true to yourself and your product and your trade and crack on.

What advice would you give young people who want to get into the butchery industry – do you feel it goes hand-in-hand with farming?

Butchery definitely goes hand-inhand with farming – how else are you going to know if what you’re selling is good? The links in the chain are what makes agriculture in this country fantastic. God knows what will happen in the future. However, there is a strong want and need for local meat, raised fairly. And as long as I’m here, I’m going to keep pushing that point. However my advice would be; this trade isn’t for the faint hearted, however it’s the most rewarding job that exists if you let it. And like with most things, you get what you give. Follow Charlotte on Instagram @GirlButcher

FANCY DOING WHAT WE DO?

Careers

Apply to a free training course designed to unearth the next generation of agricultural journalists.

BGAJ John Deere Training Award The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ (BGAJ) John Deere Training Award has been running since 1991 and has helped to produce some of the leading editors, correspondents and communications leaders working in the industry today. After an enforced two-year break, the 2022 course returns this summer from 3-5 July at John Deere’s UK & Ireland headquarters in Langar, Nottinghamshire. It sees 10 selected applicants given an immersive introduction to the world of journalism and is open to any aspiring communicators, whether or not they are from a farming background. After the course, attendees complete a work placement with a national farming publication, an agricultural public relations agency, or within the communications department of a business which works with farmers. Each course member will then enter their best piece of work to be judged, with the winner taking home the overall John Deere Training Award and £250 first prize. A runner up also receives £100. Both prize-winners are invited to be guests at the BGAJ’s flagship Harvest Lunch event in London. The course is led by experienced journalism trainer David Mascord, with practical exercises covering the main media sectors. Special guest speakers will address the group during the course and participants will get the opportunity to put John Deere’s tractors and all-terrain utility vehicles through their paces with a driving experience. BGAJ Chair Olivia Cooper said: “Attracting talent to agricultural communications is vital, and this training course has been delivering fresh blood into the industry for more than 30 years. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn how journalism works, meet like-minded people and get a real insight into the career opportunities in front of you. I would urge anyone thinking of a career in agricultural journalism to apply for this course.” The course is primarily aimed at graduating students keen to find work within the industry, or journalists with fewer than 12 months’ practical work experience, but all applications will be considered on their merit. The training course at Langar and course accommodation in Nottingham are free of charge, although successful applicants are expected to cover their own out of pocket expenses

Applicants, who must be studying and/or a resident in Great Britain, have until Friday April 29, 2022 to return a completed application form, which is available from Ben Pike by emailing johndeere@evecommunications.co.uk. January 2022

032_SF_JAN22.indd 33

13/01/2022 11:44:55

Shape your future. Study at one of our land-based specialist campuses. Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire is a leading provider of further education. Our commercial farms, equine and animal centres, friendly staff and specialist resources will give you everything you need to thrive. Our farms focus on sustainable farming systems and include a commercial pasture based dairy and organic beef and arable systems.

HOLME LACY CAMPUS AGRICULTURE ANIMAL CARE BLACKSMITHING & METALWORKING INTRODUCTION TO FARRIERY FORESTRY & ARBORICULTURE HORSE MANAGEMENT INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS LAND -BASED STUDIES Apply today at: WWW.HLCOLLEGE.AC.UK

WALFORD CAMPUS AGRICULTURE ANIMAL MANAGEMENT EQUINE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS LAND & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT MOTOR VEHICLE Apply today at: WWW.NSC.AC.UK 0800 440 2281

0800 032 1986

On-campus student accommodation available at Walford.

COY16

Message from Glasgow NFU Environment & Land Use Adviser Kate Adams journeyed to Glasgow for Farmers’ Day at COP26, and COY16. She fills us in on all the action as it went down:

f you followed the COP26 programme, you may have noticed that agriculture wasn’t as high up on the agenda as transport, energy and fossil fuels. However, on Farmers’ Day, we had the perfect opportunity to showcase all that agriculture is doing, and can do, to play our part in solving the climate crisis.

A focus on farmers

The day began with a farmers’ constituency meeting in the restricted blue zone, closely followed by press interviews with Minette and the other UK farming union presidents in the open green zone – a tight squeeze considering these two locations are usually connected by a handy footbridge that had been closed for COP26, meaning we had a brisk 20-minute walk to get from one zone to the other. We certainly got our steps in for the day! In the blue zone, we had our UNFCCC ‘side event’, that was entitled ‘Agriculture’s Ambition – delivering food security, resilience and mitigation in a changing climate’. Minette was on the panel to an almost full house, plus 50 observers online. The session highlighted the role of agriculture in achieving ambitions and that governments must step up to include agriculture in discussions. If this wasn’t enough to keep us all busy, there were also negotiations on the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA). This is the only work under the UNFCCC that relates to agriculture, and although the negotiations can be painstakingly slow, the outcomes could have direct impacts on farmers across the globe.

Going global

When I first started with the NFU a year ago, I never imagined that I would be representing the organisation at a global conference. But this is exactly what I was able to do at the 16th Conference of Youth (COY), a conference which brings together young people from across the globe to discuss the challenges of climate change.

I was honoured to have been chosen as one of the UK delegates and join young people from across the world. This was the first time that anyone from the NFU had been in attendance! Although topics of discussion were vast, agriculture and food production were not top of the agenda. Discussions were limited to a single morning where there were no farmers, nor farming representatives, involved in any of the sessions. Cleary this had to be challenged, and I had many great discussions with delegates on the importance of agriculture in addressing the issues. It’s clear that we must continue to have both a presence and proactive discussions at these conferences. I took great pride in telling the world about British agriculture and our goals to be net zero by 2040, with many delegates admiring these targets and wishing that similar would be implemented in their country. As for my take home messages from Glasgow? Young people are so incredibly passionate about climate change, and also where their food comes from. Although they care about this, food production is often seen as the same from across the world and although some were aware of the great story that British agriculture had to tell, many were not. We must continue to have a presence at conferences to give farmers a voice. For more information on agriculture and climate change, visit the NFU’s net zero online hub at NFUonline.com/NetZero

January 2022

1418713.indd 35

13/01/2022 10:28:23

Graduates

Elevating your voice We've got a group of enthusiastic new NFU graduates ready to help farmers everywhere, so let’s learn a little more about them...

Isabella (Issy) Roberts

Anna Wright Age: 22

Age: 23 From: StratfordUpon-Avon Studied: International Relations and American Studies at Swansea University, with a year abroad at the University of Texas at Austin. What have you been doing since you joined the NFU? “I think that I have joined the external affairs especially during team based in Westminster. I will the pandemic be helping to plan and run events the emphasis on in Parliament, running the supporting your @NFUPolitical twitter and doing a local area became lot of parliamentary monitoring. I’m very apparent” currently managing responses to a cheese tasting event we are holding in Parliament, which is very exciting because I love cheese! If you could swap a role with someone at the NFU for a week, who would it be and why? I would swap roles with Sam Ette or anyone in the press team. I think that how the media works as a whole is so interesting. They work so closely with the rest of the comms department as they promote all of the NFU’s messages in the press. I would love to learn how to write a press release! Why do you back British farming? I think that especially during the pandemic the emphasis on supporting your local area became very apparent. The ways in which your local farmers and stores could supply the things we are looking further afield to find is amazing. I think it is important that we invest in ourselves, whether that be as communities, counties or as a nation. What is your dream job? My dream job is to work in public affairs for a charity and help to shape legislation to make changes in the world and people’s lives. I would love to find a job that combined my love of politics with giving back to society.

1404271.indd 36

From: Easingwold, North Yorkshire Studied: Geography at the University of Oxford What have you been doing since you joined the NFU? I’ve been working in the net zero team. This has involved helping to run our first ever Countryside COP, being in charge of our monthly net zero pledge prize draw and, excitingly, I helped with planning for my team and other NFU members to go to COP26. What is your dream job? I think my dream job would be to take on my grandmother’s hill farm up in Cumbria, but I think I’ll need to learn a lot from working at the NFU to figure out whether I’m cut out to be a farmer!

“I back British farming because I know that farmers are the ones behind the countryside that I’ve grown up in awe of”

If you could swap a role with someone at the NFU, who would it be and why? If I could swap roles with anyone in the NFU for a week it would probably be one of the external affairs managers so that I could see what it was like working with MPs and maybe even get a look around Parliament.

Best thing you’ve learned since working at the NFU? I’ve learned a lot since I started working at the NFU, but one of the things that’s interested me the most has been the benefits of rotational grazing and herbal leys. Not only can they increase soil organic matter and fix nitrogen, but they can also reduce the incidences of worms in livestock! Why do you back British farming? I back British farming because I know that farmers are the ones behind the countryside that I’ve grown up in awe of. I also know that buying British food is so much better for the environment than imported goods, and that it supports the people that make up the rural fabric of Britain and keep us fed.

January 2022

13/01/2022 10:28:47

Graduates

Sam Williamson Age: 27 From: : Bolsover, near Chesterfield

“I’m supporting the general day-today workload whilst putting together our new red meat export strategy”

Studied: Sport and Sociology at the University of Bath, and a Masters in Global Political Economy at the University of Sheffield

Rebecca Pilkington

“By buying British, you’re supporting a supply chain of local farmers producing quality fresh food”

What have you been doing since you joined the NFU? I’m attached primarily to the livestock team, where I’m supporting the general day-to-day workload whilst putting together our new red meat export strategy.

Age: 23

Best thing you’ve learned since working at the NFU? The understanding I’ve gathered regarding carcass balance in animals has been particularly eye-opening.

Studied: Politics, Management, and International Relations at Lancaster University

Why do you back British farming? British produce reflects my own personal beliefs surrounding food; that it should be environmentally friendly, produced in alignment with exceptional welfare standards, and sustainable.

Jennifer Cox Age: 24 From: London

“Buying British food is also one of the best ways we can combat climate change”

Studied: Politics at the University of Edinburgh What have you been doing since you joined the NFU? As a comms graduate, I started my first placement in the campaigns team. So far, I have been learning the ropes on social media and getting stuck into planning our posts for Christmas. I have also been working on our positive livestock and dairy campaign and of course getting to know the fabulous team as well. What is your dream job? My dream job would be working on the comms desk in 10 Downing Street. No political affiliations here, just the enjoyment of rubbing elbows with the top dogs. Why do you back British farming? I think it’s so important to back British farmers, not only to support all the hard work they do but because they grow high quality and healthy food. Buying British food is also one of the best ways we can combat climate change.

From: Ribble Valley, Lancashire

What have you been doing since you started at the NFU? Since starting at the NFU, I’ve been incredibly busy! I joined the international trade team and immediately started on a sector-wide, deep dive into exporting. I’ve joined meetings with Defra and AHDB, coordinated the international trade newsletter and written articles for NFUOnline. I’ve visited a sugar beet farm in Norfolk, attended DIT’s opening International Trade Week event in Birmingham, visited Melton Mowbray Market and joined a Farm Safety event in Lancashire! If you could swap your role with someone at the NFU for a week, who would it be and why? Joining the education team for a week would be really interesting. The week I joined the NFU, the team hosted more than 50,000 children at the Harvest Live sessions creating rainbow salads and pizzas! Educating children about farming is invaluable – I met people at uni who had never seen a cow in real life. NFU Education are creating award-winning free resources to teach children about farming, and I’d love to contribute. Why do you back British farming? I really value knowing that my food is of a great quality and standard. British farmers produce food to such high environmental and animal welfare standards (significantly higher than other countries), and the agricultural industry is so important to the makeup of the UK economy and countryside. By buying British, you’re supporting a supply chain of local farmers producing quality fresh food.

The NFU Communications and Public Affairs Graduate Scheme is open for applications until 27 February 2022. For further details and how to apply, please visit our careers page at www.nfuonline.com/careers. For any queries, please email hr@nfu.org.uk or call 02476 858742. January 2022

1404271.indd 37

13/01/2022 10:29:09

british wool your trusted partner A partnership designed by farmers for farmers, working together to support the UK sheep industry. British Wool Competitors Takes all types of wool, every year no matter what True national coverage – making it convenient and cost effective for producers to send their wool Working together with industry partners – representing the best interests of wool producers at all times Supporting the next generation through shearing training and the new entrants scheme Creating downstream global consumer demand – investing in the future of British wool

To find out more call us on 01274 688666 or visit our website at britishwool.org.uk Together we’re growing something special.

IT’S FREE YOU SAY?

NFU Student & Young Farmer membership is free to students and YFC members. It allows you to have a say and to contribute towards the future of agriculture, and you will benefit from access to experts in policy, food and farming, plus bonus perks!

The magazine for young

farmers September 2021

NEW LOOK

to improve your social media game

FARM SAFETY

Get the low-down on quad bike best practice, biosecurity and maintaining machinery

Breaking down barriers

Join the largest and most influential farming association and receive: • Student Farmer magazine and British Farmer & Grower or Farming Meet the young farm ers going against the grain Wales magazine delivered to your door • The latest news and briefings from our policy experts in BECOME AN NFU AMBAS SADOR NFU Bulletin and sector specific and regional e-newsletters • Discounted member rates to attend NFU Conference and other events • Access to member-only content on NFUonline and the NFU App with a unique login SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT NFUONLINE.COM TO JOIN • 10% saving on B+E Trailer Training • Welfare of Animals in Transport test for £35 (+VAT) • 15% off airport parking and hotels with APH • Savings on Dickies Workwear online • Huge savings on Merlin Entertainment (Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and more) • Save up to 25% on ATV helmets and safety clothing from Spada 1307701.indd 1

14/09/2021 11:11:13

DOING OUR BIT FOR SUSTAINABILITY The Low Carbon Agriculture show will take place, in person, on 8-9 March 2022, at the National Agriculture and Exhibition Centre (NAEC, Stoneleigh), to support farmers as they move through the agricultural transition. The event will provide practical guidance on sustainable land use, renewable energy generation and emission control, cutting through the noise to get to the heart of what new changes mean for farmers by covering specific pressing topics such as policy, carbon storage, soil health, natural capital, net zero, renewable energy, low emission vehicles and agri-tech. Held in partnership with the NFU, the show incorporates four expos including the Environmental Business Expo, the Farm Technology Expo, Energy Now Expo and Low Emission Vehicles Expo. The Low Carbon Agriculture show will feature its renowned multi-streamed conference, workshops, an exhibition, test drives of low-emission vehicles and machinery and demonstrations of the latest innovations in agri-tech. Visitors to the event will be able to make one-to-one appointments in advance of the event, as well as attending networking roundtable discussions run by exhibitors. To learn more or to find out how to get your ticket, visit www.lowcarbonagricultureshow.co.uk

January 2022

1324611.indd 39

13/01/2022 10:29:21

THE ALL-NEW ISUZU D-MAX

WHEN YOU’VE GOT TO BE NOWHERE

SMARTER. STRONGER. SAFER.

PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

2021

DRIVEN TO DO

VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION All fuel consumption and emission values are based on the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test cycle which uses real-world driving data. Official fuel economy for the standard Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Low 25.1 27.6 (10.2 - 11.2). Mid 31.4 - 36.4 (7.8-– 9.0). High 36.0 - 39.4 (7.2 - 7.8). Extra-High 29.0 - 30.8 (9.2 - 9.7). Combined 30.7 - 33.6 (8.4 - 9.2). CO2 emissions 220 - 241g/km. Visit isuzu.co.uk for full details. The All-New Isuzu D-Max is Smarter Stronger Safer compared to previous model. Visit isuzu.co.uk for full details.

STUDENT FARMER - JANUARY 2022

Articles inside

MEET CHARLOTTE FROM CHARLOTTE'S BUTCHERY

THE PEOPLE WORKING HARD FOR YOU

WHAT HAPPENED AT COP26?

GROWING TECHNOLOGY

MAKING FARMING WORK WITH A DISABILITY

TEN WAYS TO ACE THIS YEAR'S EXAMS

WATCHING THE PENNIES AND SEEING THE POUNDS

MEET OUR NEW NFU STUDENT YOUNG FARMER AMBASSADORS

KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH

SYRIAN REFUGEE TO CHEESEMAKER VIA YORKSHIRE

DON'T GET SCURVY

TAKING FARMING TO THE HEART OF LONDON