In June 2020, the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) launched a survey, ‘Your Post-Brexit Rural Future’. Funded by Defra and led by the NFYFC and Rose Regeneration, the survey provided young people living and working in rural areas, next generation farmers and land managers with an opportunity to share their views on living and working in the countryside, now and into the future.
The survey contained 41 questions and covered six key themes. The survey closed on 31 August 2020 and 528 responses were received.
528 young people responded to the survey, offering their views on housing, services, farming, skills, COVID-19 and the future.
If you are a young person living or working in a rural environment, do you have access to the essential opportunities, skills and services you need both now and in the future? These are important questions I’m proud that YFC AGRI is playing a key role in, giving rural young people the opportunity to have their say at such a critical time in all our lives.
George Baxter
Former YFC AGRI Chair
To build on the survey findings Rose Regeneration carried out 40 follow-up telephone interviews with young farmers to find out how they have been impacted by and adapted to COVID-19 and to identify any support needs going forward.
During the lockdown period, young farmers highlighted the following impacts on their farm businesses:
They care about the community where they live and many take an active part in local organisations and activities (e.g. church, parish council, school, pub). There is a clear relationship between a young person’s stake and their family/farm status. Often growing up and spending many hours working on a farm means they already have a wealth of skills and experiences at a young age compared to their peers not growing up on a farm. This means they often join in with local clubs and activities as their parents, grandparents and other family members have participated in them and they want to sustain them for future generations.
They make positive contributions to their local communities and build everyday relationships and broad social connections with people around them. This has become more apparent during COVID-19 with many young farmers delivering medicines or groceries and phoning or visiting vulnerable residents for example.
While many young people want to continue to live and work in the countryside, this research suggest they will only be able to do so if they remain on their family farm. While 15% of survey respondents own a property, 65% said they wanted to move out of their family home in the next 5-years but would be unable to do so because they cannot afford to buy or rent. Similarly, many young farmers believe that if they are to have a future in farming, they will need an off-farm income to supplement and sustain them. Many are looking to build on some of the changes they made during COVID-19 (e.g. local food) and are looking for more certainty around what the new agricultural system post-Brexit means for them.
Young farmers have had to adjust to changes in their routine, home life, education or employment and activities off-farm. While we know the pandemic is having a big impact on young people and those that support them, the perception is that farmers are used to self-isolation and distancing. In fact, the research shows not being able to meet face-to-face and socialise has had a significant impact on young farmers health and wellbeing. It has led to an increasing need to get off the farm as they have found themselves stuck on the farm during lockdown. Young farmers are also concerned about the length of time COVID has gone on and what might happen if restrictions tighten again and/or there is a second peak or another national lockdown. Clubs are taking stock in looking at how they deliver activities virtually and in person and want support now (to restart, to look at their income/funding) and in the longer term (strategic/business planning – preparing for the future and not being reactive). This could lead to a better understanding of the relationships between clubs, counties, regions and the national federation.
They are more likely to talk about their mental health than their parents or grandparents. Many have looked for information about mental health (mainly online). And as more young people speak out, the stigma surrounding mental illness amongst their friends and peers has reduced – though the research suggests more needs to be done at family and community levels so young people can discuss mental health with older people who feel comfortable with them doing so. They wanted more information to be available on housing and activities available for young people. Given young farmers recognise they will need to undertake further training and skills development [particularly higher-level courses/qualifications] accessing this information will become increasingly important.
They are passionate about farming and want to see a future for them in the industry, but farming is changing. How to bring forward the next generation of farmers, the move towards a high-tech future, succession planning, climate change. As future Government schemes are developed and introduced listening and responding to feedback from young farmers will continue to be important. Defra has a strategic role as rural champion across Government and can ensure some of the themes emerging from the research (e.g. housing, youth services and activities) are picked up by relevant departments.
"Young farmers are resilient and innovative and that’s why we’ll make the best of the situation.”
“If we [young farmers] are going to start to introduce more virtual meetings and increase communication through the internet then we need there to be connectivity in rural areas for people to be able to join them. My dad had to turn every device off at the farm to give him enough bandwidth to connect to an NFU meeting.”
“The connectivity issue is massive in rural areas and we need better connectivity. It has really been highlighted as an important issue during COVID. We need more of a commitment from Government to the rollout as if you struggle to get broadband or a phone signal, you are becoming even more isolated. Farmers also need it to do direct sales and we’re moving to people using less cash.”
“The challenge is for clubs to plan how to move to face to face meetings and to make the best of their virtual networking. There will be delays to the normal process for the changeover of office holders.”
“A lot of farmers don’t get out anyway. Unfortunately [some] auctions are not being held so this has not helped but we have made it known to our members there is someone here at the end of the phone if they need us [the club].”
“Farming is an unsociable job anyway and you mainly work on your own. The weekly meetings have been missed and a few people I know have been struggling and have found it hard to put on a brave face.”
“YFC is all about socialising face-to-face and getting together because this has not been allowed has been difficult for some, but farmers work does tend to be done in isolation, so they have just been getting on with their jobs.”
“Since lockdown there has been a huge increase in walkers/ramblers around our farm making social distancing nearly impossible. Gates have been left open and different sheep and cattle groups mixed up.”
“It’s hard to start a farm from nothing. We work in farming and bought a house instead because you can’t get a tenancy”
“I don’t think any degree, training or experience can prepare us for what’s to come. The consumer pressure is downwards on farming with inputs increasing”
“[I want] less new builds. All new builds being put up in my area are at least 4 bedrooms and older properties are either already large, or have been extended to a point where they are not affordable by young people.”
