In our latest blog post, Future Farmers Management Board member Emma Throup explains the importance of community, as she looks ahead to our Harvest Dinner Dance.
Autumn is my favourite season of the year. It is a chance to reset and get ready for the winter months ahead, and as I started to write this article, I reflected on last year’s column and the events from the last 12 months.
I was fortunate to represent Future Farmers of Yorkshire at the NFU Conference in February, where the ‘3 C’s’ were mentioned – Conflict, Climate and Covid – enduring factors affecting farming businesses.
Five months after the Conference, we had a new government, bringing a new vision and direction.
Change and challenge are constants for our industry and the air of uncertainty around the direction of agriculture remains.
Our members, and the wider agricultural community, continue to face challenges daily, but we all want to make agriculture a success and to keep moving forward.
As I watch the tractors at home, harrow, drill and roll the fields in readiness for next year’s harvest, the robotic milking parlour making a positive difference and the automation with our egg packing – I admire the hard work and dedication that the team puts into the farm estate to get us ready for the year ahead.
It is no secret that the weather has been against us already this season, with puddles forming on fields and river levels already rising.
The team continues to work through these challenges to ensure we have a successful 2025 and for some in the industry, the impact of the weather is taking a toll on mental health and wellbeing.
Importance of having a support network
It is important that we have a support network around us to help us navigate these times, and that we reach out to individuals who need extra support.
At Future Farmers of Yorkshire, we want to offer the agricultural community that opportunity of support and to reset.
One of the events we are holding in the coming weeks is our 2024 Harvest Dinner Dance at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Saturday 23rd November.
This black-tie event, where the dress code encourages you to add ‘a hint of agriculture’, is for our members and the wider farming community.
A great night in store
Our first dinner dance last year was a huge success, raising over £7,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI). This year’s event promises to be a great one too.
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 The Farming Community Network (FCN) and the Yorkshire and Humberside Rural Initiative of Samaritans.
Both charities are close to our hearts, and we want to promote the services that these charities provide to our network across Yorkshire and beyond.
Useful sources of support
FCN supports farmers, farming families and people in rural communities through difficult times and periods of change, and operates a confidential helpline, 03000 111 999 and e-helpline, help@fcn.org.uk.
Samaritans provides confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support to those in need. Its Yorkshire and Humberside Rural Initiative, established six years ago, was a response to the particular challenges that rural communities and those working in farming face.
The Samaritans free phone number is 116 123 and email service is jo@samaritans.org.
Join us at our Harvest Dinner Dance – all are welcome!
Tickets for the Future Farmers of Yorkshire Harvest Dinner Dance are available now.
We look forward to seeing you there! It’s going to be just the tonic: an uplifting evening among likeminded people, held in the spirit of celebration.
More about our Harvest Dinner Dance
You do not need to be a Future Farmer to book a place at the Harvest Dinner Dance event – but you can sign up to join the group for free and with no obligation, here.
Yorkshire Agricultural Society members and the wider farming community are very much welcome to join us on the evening of Saturday 23rd November.
The dress code is black tie with a hint of agriculture.
Over 18s only.
Individual tickets are available for £55. A table of 10 is priced £500.
Timetable
6.30pm Welcome drink
7pm Dinner, 3-course meal (see menu below)
9.30pm Charity auction in support of FCN (The Farming Community Network) and the Yorkshire and Humberside Rural Initiative of Samaritans
10pm Disco
Midnight Bar closes
12.30am Carriages
Dinner Menu
Starter
Chicken Liver Pate served with Onion Marmalade
Main
Roast Yorkshire Beef served with Homemade Yorkshire Pudding, Red Wine Gravy and Horseradish Sauce – served with Chef’s choice of potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Dessert
Sticky Toffee Pudding with Sticky Toffee Sauce
Tea and coffee and mint chocolates
Table wine sponsor
Our Harvest Dinner Dance is kindly sponsored by McClarrons, the rural insurance specialists – find out more about their services, here.
Missed our Harvest Dinner Dance last year?
Here’s a flavour of what to expect
