Every year the Future Farmers of Yorkshire group, supported by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, sponsors a select number of Future Farmers to attend the Oxford Farming Conference and its rival the Oxford Real Farming Conference, which is fast gaining in popularity.
Rather than heading to the hallowed examination halls of Oxford in 2021 however, you’ll be able to tune in from the comfort of your own home, as both events are going digital in January.
And in the continued spirit of supporting our Future Farmers’ development, we are going to send two Future Farmers to each virtual conference.
All we ask in return is that you write and talk about your experience and share updates from the conference on social media.
Hot topics
The 2021 Oxford Farming Conference will be hosted as a digital one-day conference on 7th January 2021. The conference’s theme ‘Business as Unusual’ could not come at a more important time, just seven days after leaving the EU and with the pandemic changing life and business as we once knew it.
Meanwhile, the rival Oxford Real Farming Global Conference takes place from 7th – 13th January and brings together voices from the agroecological or regenerative farming in a ‘radical, inclusive and mobilising seven-day gathering’.
Great experiences
Earlier this year Ben Parker, an arable farmer from York, was awarded a Future Farmers bursary to attend the Oxford Farming Conference.
Reflecting on the experience, Ben said it was enlightening.
I was introduced to many other like-minded young people working across all aspects of UK agriculture. From farmers like myself, dairy scientists, land agents and farm consultants to agricultural commodities.
Making these new contacts and meeting other conference delegates was a fantastic opportunity for my personal development and business growth in the future. I found everybody at the conference, including speakers, very happy to chat.
Representing Future Farmers this year at the Oxford Real Farming Conference was Vale of York mixed farmer Angus Gowthorpe, who said the experience had ultimately helped him to boost his farm’s profitability.
The conference certainly impressed me in both how inclusive and alternative it was.
It has helped me to bring home more practical ideas which I can incorporate into my farming practices on the home farm, to further enable me to achieve carbon net zero status whilst being more profitable as a business.
Apply for a Future Farmers ticket
If you fancy attending one of the industry’s two premier events this January, then DM us via our social media channels or send an email to futurefarmers@yas.co.uk telling us why it should be you.
The closing date is 18th December 2020.
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