Eleven new farmers have beaten stiff competition from more than 130 applicants to join the NFU for the second year of its successful Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.
The new group of young, ambitious farmers will work with the NFU to represent the future generation of British farmers over the next 12 months, both within the industry and to the wider public, and at a crucial time for the sector.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “We were delighted with the first year of our Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme. Those taking part played a vital role in helping us tell the incredible story of British farming at public events, in magazines and across national, regional and trade media and on social media.
“This new group of ambassadors will be representing British farming at a unique and critical point in time for our industry. This autumn will see the formation of a new Agriculture Bill, a new Environment Bill and a new Trade Bill. And from the start of 2021, UK agriculture is going to be finding its feet in a new world outside of the EU and we will need this next generation of farmers to be advocates, representing a bright and progressive future for farming.
“It’s great to see these young people already making their mark in the farming industry and reaching out to different audiences to share our Back British Farming message. The programme aims to give them a fantastic opportunity to amplify their voice and I can’t wait to start working with them.”
The NFU’s Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors for 2020/2021 are:
· Matthew Rollason, North West – beef farmer and British Farming Awards winner
· Joe Bramall, North West – dairy farmer, YouTuber and Harper Adams student
· Cameron Knee, North East – agri-consultant and agronomist
· Josie Troop, East Midlands – NFYFC member and agri-education advocate
· Katie Smith, West Midlands – new entrant farmer and Harper Adams student
· Harriet Bartlett, East Anglia – University of Cambridge PhD student
· Eveey Hunter, East Anglia – arable farmer with a passion for education
· Zoe Legg, South West – young farmer and social media campaigner
· Karl Franklin, South East – former chef and new entrant sheep farmer
· Nia Borsey, Wales – rural planner and newspaper columnist
· Lauren David, Wales – livestock farmer and University of Reading student