My mum was an accountant and my dad a BT engineer. We are a family of animal lovers but with no connections to farming among us. Not until I started secondary school, where I was fortunate to attend one with its own farm and a Young Farmers’ Club!
Spending time on the school farm sparked an interest, which I have continued to pursue. I had been focused on becoming a vet, but during the lockdown I spent time helping on a dairy farm and it changed my mind. I realised I didn’t want to be stuck inside a little surgery – I wanted to be outside farming.
Despite feeling nervous about being the only non-farmer, I opted to study Agriculture with Animal Science at Harper Adams University (HAU) and I’m now on my placement year.
It turned out there was around a 50/50 split of people from farming and non-farming backgrounds on the agricultural courses, so I needn’t have worried.
I have been doing a lot of extra courses that are offered through HAU to build up my skills –such as tractor driving, milk recording and telehandling.
I’m keen to gain as much knowledge as I can while I am here. I’ve enjoyed the animal science side of the course too – as it helps with understanding how to achieve certain outcomes.
I’m aware it’s not going to be easy for me to have my own farm. I met my boyfriend through Weald of Kent YFC and we are both keen to get our own small holding – even if that just means renting land for a flock of sheep. I imagine the reality is that I will need a week-day job alongside the small holding to bring in enough money.
It’s difficult to get started in farming but it helps if you know the right people. Being in a YFC is ideal for that.
Our club leaders think it’s great when people join who are not from farming backgrounds but are keen to learn more about it. Eventually there won’t be enough people working in the sector if it just stays in farming families. People bring in new ideas when they haven’t grown up in the industry too.
My advice to others that want to get into farming, is join your YFC – we go on lots of farm visits and you meet people from the industry who can help you out.
For me, I’m passionate about being involved in the sector, despite the challenges for young people. There’s something rewarding about nurturing something and knowing you’ve helped raise it and contributed towards the end product. I want to be part of an industry that feeds the nation.
