NFU Horticulture and Potatoes board member, Anthony Snell, explains why the horticulture sector can be positive about the prospects for the next generation of growers and innovators.
It may be simply an age thing! But prompted by my attendance at the NFU conference at an excellent Early Bird Next Generation session, coupled with being asked by our son's school to talk to the sixth form about career opportunities in Agriculture and Horticulture, has encouraged me to think a lot more about our business and the Horticulture Industry.
The key is moving forward, positively and proactively, with ever more involvement with younger key staff, and eventually (if interested!) the next generation.
It is excellent that the NFU has formed and encouraged the Next Generation Forum, and it is interesting to note that the three panel members who spoke at the conference, Richard Bower (Chairman), Alastair Wilson and Simon Gadd, all have by way of work experience or present careers some major connections with our sector Horticulture!
I was very encouraged by their positive forward thinking, and three key messages in their presentations really stood out for me.
Firstly, that farmers and growers should always be market led in their production and never plant any crop without first ensuring there is a contracted, or at least a secured, market for the produce.
Secondly, they were positive towards encouraging the industry to collaborate and cooperate more to reduce costs, and manage more effectively the market price received.
Finally, on the topical Brexit question: They said we should tell the government want we want, not keep asking what we’ll get!
I wasn’t sure what to expect with the School Careers lecture to sixth form A level students. Their weekly talks were not compulsory and had recently covered subjects like medicine and law. But I needn’t have worried because the talk was surprisingly well attended and the feedback I received was that the science and technology in Horticulture was really interesting. They also said the career prospects and salaries were hugely better than they had expected and comparable to many other industries.
I focussed on the fact that we’re a major part of the food supply chain, being Britain’s biggest industry, employing 3.9million people. And also that there is fantastic economic potential by being involved in an industry that is vital to our wellbeing and health, particularly in a growing population.
Spring is always a time for optimism!