young farmer profiles

NAME:

MURRAY STEPHEN

AGE:

25

CLUB:

TURRIFF & DISTRICT JAC

Q: Where do you stay?

A: I stay on the family farm, Netherthird, which is four miles outside Rothienorman in rural Aberdeenshire

Q: Do you hold any office-bearer roles at Young Farmers?

A: I am now one of the club’s vicepresidents and a member of the East Aberdeenshire District committee and International committee.

Q: Tell us about your background in agriculture

A: From a young age we were encouraged to help out as much as possible and when I left school I worked in an abattoir for two years. When the opportunity for me to come home presented itself, I took it.

Q: What do you do for an occupation?

A: I work on the family farm with my dad and brother. We farm just over 700 acres on which we grow spring barley, tatties and a variety of vegetables. We sell on at the family farm shop and supply local shops, businesses and restaurants with tatties and vegetables. In addition we lamb over 300 ewes and we house over 250 cattle during the winter.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about working in the farming industry?

A: Producing top-quality meat to feed our nation.

Q: As rural youth, do you think there is something we should be doing additionally or differently within the agricultural sector?

A: The rising trend in vegetarianism and veganism has seen an onslaught of farmer bashing on social media, branding us all as cruel, heartless villains who care nothing for the welfare of their animals. We now need to utilise social media to right this wrong, and better educate people on what really happens on farms. Open the farm gates and let people see first-hand how the food they eat gets from farm gate to dinner plate.

Q: Where do you see the farming sector in 10 years’ time?

A: We will need to find ways of farming more efficiently with minimal input. This might mean having to embrace new technologies to farm smarter and find new, innovative methods of producing more food using less land, and with little or no environmental impact.

Q: If you could pass on one piece of advice to someone looking to get into the sector, what would it be?

A: Listen to and take the advice of others, and show passion, dedication and a drive to succeed.

Q: Why did you join YF?

A: My family were all past members so it was a no-brainer . I turned up to my first meeting as an eager 14 year old and I haven’t looked back.

Q: What do you most enjoy about Young Farmers?

A: Everything from competitions to the social events and activities and opportunities that the organisation has to offer, like the international travel programme.

Q: How do you feel Young Farmers has impacted your life?

A: I went on a two-month exchange to New Zealand and a two-week trip to China and in 2016 my team won the SAYFC national senior speech-making competition, which is my proudest achievement. I have also gained memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Q: Do you have advice for someone looking to join?

A: Just go for it. Even if you’re not from a farming background you’ll find something about the Young Farmers that you like.