5 minute read
Taking up their posts
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:
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Three 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
@ed_lord_
Gareth Staples-Jones
@Gareth_SJ
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. Erin Fflur McNaught
@FflurMcnaught
Two fantastic days at our NFU Ambassador induction in the HQ in Stoneleigh. Fabulous group of very keen and motivating young farmers! Joe Bramall
@JoeBramall
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
At the start of their time on the S&YFAP, the ambassadors brainstormed some rules to follow throughout their year in post, which they will support each other on. They hope that by leading by example they can demonstrate to other farmers, the public and government alike that the future of farming is in safe hands.
Farming policies and practices
• Try to approach influencing farm policies and practices in a new and creative way by looking beyond MP lobbying to all in the industry and corporate leaders and engaging with young people • Sharing, promoting and undertaking net zero practices • Representing the industry in the best way possible; reputation is everything and we must practice what we preach as ambassadors and representatives of the NFU
Equality, inclusion and diversity
• Accessibility – making farming physically accessible for visitors from all backgrounds, and making our social media posts accessible, e.g. by using subtitles and description captions. • Making the industry welcoming for everyone – we want to think about representation and visibility for all people, thinking about the language we use before we put anything out in the public domain • Encouraging difficult conversations across generations and looking towards making a toolkit to do this
Portrayal of farming in media
• Maintaining our energy on social media e.g. by getting a store of photos to post or by thinking of what you can post on times when you’re away from the farm • Supporting everyone on their social media posts – put social media handles in the Whatsapp group • Using the Whatsapp group to pass on information about direct contacts from the press but also as a sounding board for if there are negative comments on social media and how to react to them
In the next edition of Student Farmer we will be showcasing how the S&YF ambassadors have been implementing these rules into their farming lives.
WHAT DID THE AMBASSADORS HAVE TO SAY?
Hannah Buisman
The induction only reinforced my joy at being involved in the NFU and the ambassador programme. Learning about the vital role of the NFU, alongside illuminating discussions, has continued to open my eyes to the opportunities the NFU creates for individuals such as myself, and the importance of sharing this message with others. I felt a wonderful sense of community.
Mike Wilkins
It is an absolute privilege and honour to be counted amongst this fabulous group of passionate young farmers! Visiting NFU HQ and seeing the mechanics behind this Goliath organisation has been hugely insightful. We met and learned from an enormously broad range of NFU staff, which has been an immensely eye-opening introduction to the staggeringly wide breadth of work that the NFU undertakes.
A further terrific benefit of being able to attend in person has been continuing to get to know my follow ambassadors. The heartfelt passion, boundless vision, infectious enthusiasm and outright drive within this group is truly inspiring (not to mention a tad intimidating!) I am tremendously excited to observe and participate in our collective NFU adventure and our continued growth and development throughout this year and beyond!
Sophie Bould-Lynch
It was great to still feel included with a virtual adaptation of the induction due to lambing. I learnt a huge amount of information in a short space of time!
Sian Davies
It was a fantastic two days meeting the other ambassadors, discussing key focus area for the forthcoming year along with having a great insight into all different aspects and the work the NFU does for its members.
