In our latest blog post, Emma Throup, a Future Farmers of Yorkshire management board member explains how she is benefiting from being part of the network, as she looks ahead to the Future Farmers Harvest Dinner Dance on Saturday 18th November.
Now we have passed the Autumn Equinox, I always think it is a good time of year to reflect on the year’s past events, but also look towards any future events.
This year, I was offered a place on the Future Farmers of Yorkshire Management Board, and it has been a super development opportunity for me, but also has provided me an opportunity to work with some great people within the group and on the board.
Being a ‘hybrid’ farmer’s wife
My introduction to farming started when I met my husband at a Young Farmers event 11 years ago, and since then it has become a massive part of my life.
My husband’s family farm is made up of multiple enterprises: arable, poultry and dairy and it’s been an interesting year.
Now, I must clarify, you could call me a ‘hybrid’ farmer’s wife: whilst I support David and the farm throughout the year, I also have a full-time role at VetPartners, where I am responsible for the digital practice management systems in the UK. So, a balancing act is key.
Mixed farming fortunes
For the farm itself, it’s been an ongoing battle with the weather through harvest.
Wheat is slightly down on last year, but the winter barley yields have improved since last year. We are now in the process of drilling next year’s crops.
On the poultry side, with the industry challenges of Avian Influenza at the start of the year and the egg shortages in the market, we are now coming out of the other side.
For the dairy enterprise, we have exciting plans in place to introduce robotic milking in the next 12 months.
Working with other industry professionals through Future Farmers, I know that our story is not dissimilar to others and producing food for UK agriculture can be testing at times.
However, coming together as Future Farmers of Yorkshire is a massive help for both personal and professional development.
Power of getting together
We discuss and share ideas at events, provide commercial skills workshops and training, bursaries to attend major farming events and conferences and provide mentoring and development for individual members.
Both our Spring Debate and Great Yorkshire Show Breakfast Meeting welcomed over 200 members and this autumn we are going to do something a little different.
Harvest Dinner Dance
We are inviting our members and the wider farming community to the first ever Harvest Dinner Dance at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
This black-tie event, with a hint of agriculture, is the first event of its kind for us as a group and promises to be a sociable event to celebrate the end of the harvest season.
The dress code is causing something of a stir, and we can’t wait to see how people interpret it on the night.
The evening starts at 6.30pm with a welcome drink, followed by a three-course meal and disco.
A charity auction will take place in support of two charities, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and RABI (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution). Both charities are close to our hearts.
You do not need to be a Future Farmer to book a place at the Harvest Dinner Dance, but the event is for over 18s only.
For further details about our Harvest Dinner Dance, including tickets, take a look here. We look forward to seeing you there!
