Talented young farmers selected for NFU scheme

SEVEN YOUNG people from Yorkshire are among 13 selected to join the first Student and Young Farmer North East Programme run by a trade union.

Katie Boyes, from Pickering; Pippa Hoggard, from Driffield; Stephen Huddlestone, from Howden; James Johnson, from Ripon; and Ian Swall, from Northallerton; along with Alicia Martin and

Beth Phalip, both from Great Ayton, were chosen to take part in the nine- month development programme run by the National Farmers Union ( NFU).

Designed to give the young farmers behind- the- scenes access to some of the North East region’s most successful food and farming businesses, there were initially 12 placesfortheinauguralscheme.

However, NFU regional director, Andrew Butler, said the quality of the applicants was so high an extra place was added.

“We were delighted with the response from our student and young farmers across the region and after virtual interviews we added an extra place to work with 13 talented and incredibly enthusiastic members of our regional farming community,” he said.

Mr Butler also said that with the coronavirus restrictions the planned visits had to be rearranged, but, he said they had some “great virtual events” lined up for the first part of the programme including a Q& A session with NFU president, Minette Batters.

The programme was developed with the region’s Next Generation Champions group made up of 12 younger farmers who help the NFU develop new ways of supporting its younger members.

Group leader Olivia Richardson said it was “great” to see so much interest in the programme from young farmers across the region.