Future skills with YFC

Helping young farmers build future skills

A new online guide has been created for young farmers to help with their careers and business planning during an uncertain period of agricultural transition business planning during an uncertain period of agricultural transition

Developed by The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) in partnership Clubs (NFYFC) in partnership with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), the online Fit for Future business guide is one business guide is one component of a three-part building skills project, funded by Defra, which also includes project, funded by Defra, which also includes bespoke training for Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs).

The guide includes information about conservation agriculture, the role of integrated pest management and agroforestry integrated pest management and agroforestry as well as links to further resources.

The guide builds on NFYFC’s work with The guide builds on NFYFC’s work with the GWCT to bring information and advice the GWCT to bring information and advice on integrated conservation farming practices on integrated conservation farming practices at the Allerton Project Farm to young farmers, next generation land managers and farmers, next generation land managers and new entrants.

GWCT’s Allerton Project team researches the eff ects of diff erent farming researches the eff ects of diff erent farming methods on wildlife and the environment methods on wildlife and the environment and identifi es management that delivers multiple and identifi es management that delivers multiple benefi ts for sustainable food production as well as environmental good. This work covers natural capital accounting, agri-environment schemes and regenerative farming systems.

Joe Stanley, GWCT’s Head of Training and Partnerships, said: “This is a timely project which acknowledges the need for additional skills to accommodate the many emerging Defra policies as well as recommendations from Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy.

“With a training off er to share good practice and a farm to demonstrate the commercial benefi ts, NFYFC and GWCT are pleased to collaborate again on a project to help share news, off er training and signpost further information during this time of agricultural transition. We hope this guide helps young farmers identify the skills they may need, and provides information to help progress their careers or land management and training options.”

Members of the YFC AGRI group met last June at the Allerton Project Farm to discuss the necessary skills needed for emerging policies, fl edgling businesses and new entrant opportunities. Members of the group made the most of sharing their farming and land management experience whilst considering the future business viability and skills needed.

In a discussion that explored ways to help new entrants and next generation farmers deliver sustainability, the group agreed that clear food

”We hope this guide helps young farmers identify the skills they may need, information to help progress their career or land management plans and provide training options” Joe Stanley GWCT’s Head of Training and Partnerships labelling showing environmental impact will be part of the necessary marketing tools for consumer awareness. They also agreed there was a need for a practical, realistic approach to the eff ects of seismic policy change and trade deals.

Groups of YFC members will now also visit the Allerton Farm Project to gain insight on its working practices too, as part of the Building Skills project.

Outgoing YFC AGRI Chair and poultry farmer Tom Pope said: “A fresh approach of collaborative support for skills and establishing sustainable businesses are high on young farmers’ agendas.

“The Fit for Future business guide is something that I whole-heartedly recommend is read and shared, so that many more young farmers can make the most of the wealth of information that has been researched and put into practice by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

“YFC AGRI has been active in exploring ways to help new entrants and next generation farmers deliver sustainability, and feedback includes clear food labelling showing environmental impact as part of the necessary marketing tools for consumer awareness, as well as a practical, realistic approach to the eff ects of policy change and trade deals.”

The online guide is available from the NFYFC website – visit ww.nfyfc.org.uk/fi tforfuture for more information