Young people were welcomed into the heart of the UK’s largest agricultural machinery show to see first-hand the technology and talent driving the sector forward as well as the diverse career opportunities available across the food and farming sector.
The inaugural cohort of AgriFuture Scholars – young people taking part in NFU Education’s scholarship programme with the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society – spent the first day looking at cutting-edge machinery, engineering innovation and hearing directly from the people shaping the future of agriculture.
“Our hope is that these experiences spark ambition and show young people that farming is a dynamic, rewarding and essential industry.”
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos
On the second day, Year 9 students from local Birmingham secondary schools Hodge Hill Girls School and Bishop Challoner Catholic school, took part in interactive workshops and guided activities, in collaboration with event organisers Agriconnect and with sponsorship from AGCO. For many, it was their first encounter with modern agriculture and the career possibilities it offers.
Together, these two events reflect NFU Education’s commitment to ensuring that every young person, wherever they live and whatever their background, has the chance to discover how food is produced and to see themselves as part of farming’s future.
Bridging the disconnect
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “Introducing young people from wide and diverse backgrounds to the agricultural industry is vital for its future sustainability.
“Whether it’s students from local schools or scholars on our AgriFuture programme, giving them the chance to see modern farming up close helps bridge the disconnect so many feel from where their food comes from.
“At LAMMA, they can see the innovation, engineering and environmental stewardship that underpin today’s agriculture. Our hope is that these experiences spark ambition and show young people that farming is a dynamic, rewarding and essential industry – one that needs their talent, their ideas and their passion for the future.”
Long-term future of the industry
Agriconnect Marketing Manager Sophie Jackson-Holgate said they were “proud” to host NFU Education students and scholars as part of the Future in Farming Zone.
Ms Jackson-Holgate went on to say: “Many young people are unaware of the wide range of career pathways within the agriculture industry, making this a valuable opportunity to showcase the sector’s innovation and technology.
“By connecting students with farmers, manufacturers and industry leaders in this environment, we’re aiming to help them see the breadth of opportunities available and inspiring the next generation to build rewarding careers in agriculture.”
AGCO Ltd. Aftersales Training Business Development Manager Ash Briggs said they were delighted to deliver a series of short, engaging micro-teach sessions on basic vehicle electrics to the students.
“While we continue to ‘grow our own’ future agricultural engineers with the AGCO NexTech Programme, we firmly believe that inspiring interest in agricultural engineering at an early stage is essential to securing the long-term future of our industry,” he said.
“We would like to thank both the NFU and Farmers Guardian for providing us with the opportunity to demonstrate some of the technology, diagnostic tools and fault-finding processes our dealer technicians use every day to identify and resolve electrical issues in modern agricultural machinery.”
