Young Farmers as a ‘non-farmer’

I MUST admit, when I was approached to write a ‘Farm View’ article, I was filled with a certain amount of trepidation. 

I very nearly turned the opportunity down. However, I was reminded of a lesson I have learned throughout my time in Young Farmers – ‘Never say you can’t, always say you’ll try!’ – so here goes!

Farming is in my blood: my great-grandfather, Maxwell Brownlie, was a stockman on the Mochrum Estate, tending to Miss Flora Stewart’s esteemed herd of Belted Galloways; my grandfather spent his younger years working for the Wilkie family, in Blantyre; and various members of my extended family are still actively farming. 

I, however, was born into the wrong generation and for many years I could only dream of enjoying the farming lifestyle while looking at the countryside over the horizon from the window of my, very much in the town, house. 

I had listened to tales of the Young Farmers from my uncle and I counted down the days until my 14th birthday when I would finally be allowed to join! 

The first event I attended was a club quiz, and from there it has snowballed beyond what I could ever have imagined.

At the time of writing this article, I have been an active member of East Kilbride and District YFC for seven years. I have served in the club office bearer positions of secretary and treasurer, and have held the Lanarkshire district titles of Mr Young Farmer and Member of the Year – even going on the be placed third at National Member of the Year aged 17 – and I am now a district representative of the National Agri and Rural Affairs committee. Not bad for a townie, eh? 

Reflecting back on my time in YF so far, I have nothing but thanks to give for the opportunities I have been offered. 

I found my first, and current, job through my Young Farmers club – my club chairman at the time put in a good word for me with a local farm and I was taken on work experience which later led to permanent employment. 

This was really my first stepping stone into the world of farming. 

Aside from employment, YF has undoubtedly improved me as person.

From my communication and organisational skills which developed as a member of the committee, to the kind of self-confidence you can only gain from dancing half-naked on stage during a concert, there really is no better way to form a rounded person than to join YF. 

I, along with many others have found my best friends, and my girlfriend, through Young Farmers.

So, what’s the point in writing this article? Well, what you take from this will depend fully on who you are.

For the ‘townie’s’ out there: Don’t let labels or misconceptions put you off pursuing a career in farming, or even just in Young Farmers.

There really is something for everyone within the organisation and you will get out what you put in. 

Don’t hold off and don’t be afraid to get involved. Young Farmers are some of the most genuine and accepting people I have ever met and I guarantee that you will not regret joining this vibrant, dynamic group.

For the Young Farmers: grab the bull by the horns, take every opportunity you are given and stretch yourself. 

Young Farmers offers a huge range of experiences, each one valuable in its own way. You never know where the next ‘yes’ will take you.

For the fully-fledged farmers: Appreciate what young farmers has to offer you. 

In between partying, we do actually have a wide range of skills to offer the industry, but we need your help to develop. 

Young Farmers are the future of the industry and with the post-Brexit uncertainty looming we must recognise and utilise how helpful SAYFC may be in filing the labour deficit by bringing in keen new entrants.