In this video, we hear from farmers on how they have amended management practices to be more sustainable for the future.
With many thanks to The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC) for the use of their video - for more information, visit http://www.nfyfc.org.uk/
This video introduces the wide range of opportunities and different skills needed within modern farming.
With many thanks to The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC) for the use of their video - for more information, visit http://www.nfyfc.org.uk/
James Chapman is the fourth-generation to work at his family's farm, Hunt Hill, in Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Newly qualified as a Level 2 General Farm Worker apprenticeship, James (17) is passionate about carrying on a family tradition stretching back to 1944 when his great grandfather first launched the business.
Hunt Hill's 300 acres are devoted to arable and dairy farming - 120 of them yielding higher tier quality milk from the family's 135 pedigree Holstein cows, with wheat, barley and maize grown on the remaining land for cattle feed.
"I've grown up with farming in my blood," says James, who tends his own flock of pedigree Suffolk sheep, "and I knew very early on that it was what I wanted to do as a career.”
"My dad and grandad both work full time on the farm - Grandad is 80 and probably works hardest of us all," he laughs.
Qualifying in January 2023 from the two-year course he began in October 2021, James almost forgets to mention that he completed his Level 2 eight months early from Askham Bryan College, near York.
"The course work was challenging but really interesting and covered animal health and welfare, biosecurity and legislation, machinery and the process from seeding to harvesting. I learned a lot and everything on the course was relevant to my job.
"I also liked the end-point assessment being conducted at the farm," James adds. "The assessor arrived at 9am and questioned me in the workplace throughout the day."
Eager to progress further in farming, James is already planning his next move to upskill. "I am thinking about starting my Level 3 this autumn," he reports. "If I'm to head up the family business one day, I need to continue learning. Training helps you expand your ambitions and gives you fresh ideas to apply on your own farm."
Meanwhile he knuckles down to what many would view as an exhausting schedule for the day job. When taking his turn at milking, he rises at 4.30am. "I prefer milking in the morning, which takes about two and a half hours, and I enjoy mixing the ration for the cows.” James feels fortunate to be involved in both dairy and arable farming.
How about the highs and lows of his work? "Mucking out is probably my least favourite job - every three weeks I help lead away 300 tonnes of manure. We are involved in a muck for straw agreement with a nearby arable farmer.”
The family firm can look forward to what promises to be a sustainable future, it seems. "Farming is a happy life for me," James concludes. "I don't see it as a job but a way of life. The work ethic is big but so enjoyable."
My job in three words: "fun, busy, inspiring"
Newly qualified Crop Technician Angus Fox loves the great outdoors. When he's not playing rugby for the local team Market Deeping, he's game or clay pigeon shooting.
"I've got my work/life balance back with weekends now free for leisure," says the 19-year-old, who passed his Level 3 apprenticeship from Riseholme College in Lincoln in September 2022.
He upskilled while working at Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire, completing his apprenticeship four months early. "I miss farming," he says, "and will always be a country boy at heart. It's in my chinos.”
"The Ag sector is one big family; everyone is so passionate about it. You have your moments - tractors break down and things go wrong - but it's a way of life."
Angus has moved into a role as a seed sales specialist with Grainseed and will now have a strong presence on the farm supporting merchants, and agents all over the country selling everything from grass seed, maize and, other forage seeds to gravel bags, as well as additives, silage sheets and everything cereal to livestock and arable farms.
"I should clock up 25,000 to 40,000 miles a year but driving's great so I couldn't wish for a better career move," he enthuses.
Angus started working life as a window fitter before his switch to farming with the realisation that he needed to become skilled to progress further.
"They were a great bunch on my course, and we all became really good mates and keep in touch.
"My tutor, Trevor CaIrns, really inspired me. He kept pushing and prodding and knew just how to teach and motivate, spending time with me. It was Trevor who helped place me at Vine House Farm for my apprenticeship.
"All he wants is the very best for his students. After completing the course, we discussed a load of career options. I think he was just as happy as I was when I landed the job at Grainseed."
"I adored driving tractors, so I was really interested in the elements of the course dealing with how to get the best out of them and implements."
But crop health and nutrition also proved a captivating topic. "It's at the heart of everything farmers do" he states.
Where does he see himself in a few years? "Well, I'd like to become the company's top salesman. I'm a natural, people tell me - very talkative and confident".
"Sales can be hard work and I'm learning all the time from my work colleagues," he adds. "They are the best aspect of the job. They have so much knowledge – there’s not a great deal they don’t know regarding all the different varieties of crops we sell.
"And they told me that most of the questions my customers ask me they already know the answers to - they just want to find out if I know what I'm talking about. A very handy tip."
Clearly in his element, Angus has wasted no time putting the knowledge and skills he acquired on his Level 3 apprenticeship to good use in an environment where he already feels well at home in.
"Still early days for me I know but there are no downsides to the job. I'm committed to learning as much as I can to achieve. I enjoyed the classroom environment as well as the hands-on side - tractor driving was a thrill, on your own, outdoors, doing your own thing - but it's time to move on to the next stage."
My job describes in three words: "Challenging but fulfilling”.
