NFU Midlands Future Leaders programme

NFU Midlands Future Leaders programme is our flagship free course designed to bring the best out of Midlands members who want to make a difference in the industry and get more involved in NFU regional and national activity.

You will be given the very best training to help you articulate your ideas and give you confidence to speak up on issues you are passionate about.

And you will be part of a programme of activities spread throughout the year aimed at inspiring you, training and getting you closer to the NFU's work. 

When

Tuesday, 25 November - Wednesday, 26 November

Where

NFU HQ, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2TZ.

What you'll be learning

Day one

Presentation and chairing meetings skills: In the morning session, renowned trainer Margaret Hartley will give you all the skills you need to present your ideas in a professional, confident way, which will help you and your farm business in meetings and presentations. After lunch, she will train you on how to chair meetings, keep the agenda running smoothly, how to deal with difficult attendees and a whole host of other top tips.

Day two

What it takes to be an officeholder: You’ll get the inside line on putting yourself forward for branch and county officeholder roles, how to make it a success if you get elected, and the ways you can influence NFU policy.

Media training: Spend the afternoon of day 2 with our in-house press team who will train you to be able to speak to the media and arm you with all the information and tips you’ll need to be a genuine voice for the farming industry.

*Please note, the media training element is limited to a few places and is for members who are prepared to go in front of the press to be interviewed when asked by the NFU's press team. Those not taking the media element of the course can leave after lunch.

Accommodation & meals

We will have a hotel room booked for those travelling longer distances to Stoneleigh so you don’t have the hassle of having to find accommodation and we’ll be hosting a future leaders’ dinner on the evening of day one, where you can socialise with your fellow delegates and meet key members of the NFU Midlands team. Lunch, tea/ coffee and biscuits will be provided too.

What do I need to bring?

Apart from an overnight bag and a change of clothes, just yourself and your enthusiasm! We will provide all the course material and stationary.

Interested?

Contact your NFU county adviser before the deadline of 24 October in the first instance for an application form. Find a contact list here. You will be informed by 4 November if you have been successful.

Alternatively, call NFU Midlands member communications and engagement adviser James Peck on 07587 037114.

NFU Conference Day 1 attendance

All members on the Future Leaders course will get free entry to the national NFU Conference held at the ICC in Birmingham in February.

With a coveted ticket for the organisation's headline gathering of the year, you can soak up the atmosphere, network and see NFU President Tom Bradshaw, alongside the highest profile guest speakers from the world of politics and agriculture, take the stage in front of a packed crowd.   

Social media training and farm visit

Learn or refine your social media skills at our on-farm April workshop with experts helping you get the most out of the most popular platforms.

Getting farming's positive messages out to as wide an audience as possible is vital and this training will give you all the tools you need to become an online ambassador for the industry.

Lobbying skills and Westminster visit

Have a day amid the hustle and bustle of Westminster at the NFU London office, a stone's throw from the Houses of Parliament, in June.

You will have a guided tour of both houses before our External Affairs Manager Scott Pepe takes you through how the NFU lobbies politicians in the corridors of power, as well as giving you top tips on how to land key farming messages with MPs on your farm. 

NFU Midlands Next Generation events

We have developed a compelling programme of events for younger NFU members (20-40-years-old) aimed at being sociable and inspiring as well as having a technical and business focus.

These events will move around the Midlands region and will be advertised here.