S&YFAP
A warm welcome
We officially welcomed our new Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors in March when they visited NFU HQ at Stoneleigh Park for a two-day induction. Here’s what happened:
T
hree years of Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors and three years of Covid disruptions! But, luckily, after a false start when the previous induction was cancelled in January, we finally managed to get the gang together for a jam-packed few days at Stoneleigh Park at the beginning of March. Ambassadors were introduced to experts from across the NFU, including Lancashire County Adviser Liz Berry, Procurement and Food Service Adviser Bethan Cowell and Director of the British Agriculture Bureau, Robin Manning, even joined via video from Brussels. Discussion sparkled throughout the day, with ambassadors not only listening to, but also challenging their guest speakers. Agrifood Policy Delivery Manager Jack Watts, who looks after the NFU’s Next Generation Forum, was impressed by the group’s strong belief that the NFU must provide platforms for young people who want to ensure the industry continues to be productive and innovative for the future.
The first day also included an indepth discussion about how the ambassadors can live out the values of the S&YFAP Inclusivity Pledge, which was launched during recruitment for this year’s programme. Ambassadors were specially passionate about making farming accessible for all, and about the importance of representation in agriculture. Find out more about how the groups values on the next page. In a first for the NFU S&YFAP, ambassadors old and new were also brought together on day two of the induction to share knowledge and to see if they can help each other going forward. As is tradition, NFU President Minette Batters joined the group to thank the previous ambassadors for their hard work and dedication and to announce ambassador-voted ‘Most likely to be a future NFU President’ award. Before announcing Joe Bramall as a very worthy winner, Minette explained: “If you had asked me when I was your age if I was going to be an NFU President, I would have said ‘No way!’”
What they said on Twitter... Edward Lord
Gareth Staples-Jones
Erin Fflur McNaught
Joe Bramall
Inspiring few days @NFUtweets HQ discussing all things #BritishAg with these motivating people! I was even lucky enough to receive some well needed new threads #BackBritishFarming
Absolutely incredible couple of days with the team from this years Student & young farmer cohort of ambassadors for the NFU - just motivates me so much to really raise how important British Farming is at every opportunity I get.
Two fantastic days at our NFU Ambassador induction in the HQ in Stoneleigh. Fabulous group of very keen and motivating young farmers!
What a brilliant way to hand over to this year’s S&YFA ambassadors. Great to meet another group of people all positive about the future of farming in such a challenging time #BackBritishFarming
@ed_lord_
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@Gareth_SJ
@FflurMcnaught
@JoeBramall
May 2022
12/04/2022 11:48:05
