Membership numbers remained steady during this decade and there was much to celebrate.
Countryfile presenter Matt Baker was elected as NFYFC President, bringing wider exposure to the organisation through the media attention he received.
There was also opportunity to engage in national events such as the 2012 Olympics, where NFYFC was involved in a Great British Food for Great British Athletes project, which included cookery demonstrations at the Olympic Torch Relay.
Alongside the unity of the Olympics though, came division through Brexit a few years later. Farming faced one of the biggest changes to any sector in the UK with the formation of a British Agricultural Policy and new trade agreements. Young Farmers were eager to share their views on these topics and consultation responses and feedback to Defra is ongoing as the changes take shape.
NFYFC held one of its first national campaigns during this decade too – with a focus on rural road safety. Research was commissioned into the dangers of rural roads and a media campaign was launched to elevate the issue, with information on how NFYFC was tackling the problem at a YFC level.
YFC was finding its campaigning voice again as it also launched a mental health awareness campaign targeting isolation in rural areas. Its campaigns, led by the Chairs of Council, focused on broader rural issues rather than just farming, reflecting the wider make-up of the membership.
