A total of 10 young people involved in farming have been chosen to lead the NFU’s first group of Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors.
The group will have the opportunity to represent the next generation of farmers and represent every region of England and Wales.
NFU Next Generation Forum chairman Simon Gadd said: “At such a pivotal time for our industry, engaging with the next generation has never been more important and this is a fantastic opportunity for our ambassadors to enhance their knowledge and skills, and have a positive impact on the future of the farming industry.
This group represents the huge variety we have in British agriculture. From shepherds and herd managers to academics, students and lecturers, our ambassadors will all bring something different to the industry and I’m looking forward to working with them over the next year.
“This is exactly the sort of programme we need to encourage and bring along the next group of talented individuals that are just entering our exciting industry.”
The ambassadors
The NFU’s Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors for 2019-20 are:
- Georgina Barratt (25) a PhD student studying sugar beet water use efficiency from the East Midlands;
- George Biss (20) an agricultural apprentice from the Isle of Wight;
- Poppy Burrough (19) an apprentice engineer with JCB and YFC junior vice-chairman from the South West;
- Sioned Davies (21) a final year student at Harper Adams University from Wales;
- Anna Hunt (20), East Anglia, a student at Durham University (pictured);
- Gethin Johnson (24), an agricultural engineering college lecturer from Wales;
- James Macleod (23), an assistant farm manager from the West Midlands;
- Harry Madin (22), a hill shepherd the North West;
- Sophie Thornton (22), a Harper Adams University graduate from the North East;
- Daniel Wells (24), a herd manager from the South East.
