The on-farm event, held as part of the Member Development programme, gave members the opportunity to network with President Tom Bradshaw, industry specialists, county representatives and the current Member Development participants. The evening was hosted by NFU North Regional Board Chair William Maughan.
To kick off the event, Member Development programme participants and the North Regional Board attended a panel session hosted by President Tom Bradshaw, Noble Foods’ Head of Agriculture – Retail Jean-Paul Michalski and Procam Agronomist Nigel Scott on the future of the industry. Topics discussed included the political landscape, farmer confidence, business resilience and the next generation. Attendees also heard from National Board Poultry Chair Will Raw about his journey within the NFU.
Following the panel session, North Riding and Durham members joined the meeting for two farm walks around William’s farm, focusing on poultry and crops, and heard from NFU President Tom Bradshaw.
Attendees enjoyed a barbecue and refreshments while networking with the North Regional Board and local officeholders.
Inspiring speakers and good discussions
North Regional Board Chair and event host William Maughan said: “I was really pleased to host the event. We had some people who have been on the Member Develops course from throughout the region who travelled from all over to attend, along with people from the Regional Board. We were really lucky to have NFU President Tom Bradshaw at the event and we had a good conversation with him about the state of the industry and where we’re going.
“We heard some very inspiring stories about how people have got involved with the NFU. We heard from Will Raw, the national poultry chair, who told us his story about where he started as a farmer, how he got involved with the NFU and is now in the position that he is. It was really inspiring to do that, and it was great to talk to them.
“We then extended the invitation to members across North Riding and Durham and a lot of people turned out. we had a really good meeting with people from across North Riding and Durham and beyond. We had two farm walks to look at what we’re doing on the farm and had a couple of speakers.
“We rounded it off with a barbecue and Tom rounded it off with a conversation with everyone, with lots of questions and good discussions. It was a positive night, thank you to everyone who attended.”
