This was just one of the many positive messages shared during the #StudentFarmer sessions in the Inspire Pavillion at Cereals 2014.
Young beef farmer and journalist Matt Sharp was joined by NFU assistant European policy adviser Rebecca Wells to discuss their experiences of joining the sector. Neither is from a farming background - but both now work in farming.
“I always felt I had to apologise that I’m not from a farming background but now I see it as an advantage, I have a lot to offer,” said Rebecca.
“We need to get rid of the stereotype that you have to be from a family farm because that’s just not the case,” said Matt.
But to be involved in farming doesn’t necessarily mean you have to actually farm. There is a huge array of careers open to young people, which all require different skills. Initiatives such as Bright Crop work hard to demonstrate the variety of career pathways within the industry.
And for those that do come from a farming background it is important that they think outside the box.
NFU combinable crops adviser James Mills didn’t return to the family farm when he graduated from university; he became involved in politics and now lobbies the government on behalf of farmers.
“It's important to learn skills that you can transfer into different parts of your life. There are many of these life skills that can be transferred back to the family farm to enhance the business,” he said.
Stephen Jones did go back home to farm, but he now grows experimental crops such as quinoa.
“It's important to find what you want to do in life instead of just settling down and sitting into the rhythm of things. Just because you go away and do a different degree doesn't mean that you are saying goodbye to farming, it's about opening up your horizons and being able to enhance the business should you want to come into the industry,” he said.
During both sessions, the speakers highlighted the opportunities available elsewhere in the world. Working abroad can be a good way to gather experience and skills which may not be as readily available in the UK. But it can also provide a different perspective and approach that can be applied when people return to the UK.
“Travelling can be a great learning opportunity. It's not until you visit other countries and discover their agricultural industry that you realise that the sector is in fact huge and on a global scale,” said James.