In this blog post, Nick Grayson, South Yorkshire farmer and Chair of the Future Farmers of Yorkshire explains why you should consider applying for a bursary place to attend the big Oxford farming conferences.
But be quick, applications close on Monday 23rd September!
As harvest time ends for most and with autumn cultivations beginning, we are starting to cautiously think about next year and what it may bring.
I am sure the age old saying of ‘there’s always next year’ has been muttered on many farms this harvest time.
The livestock farmers amongst us will already be thinking of housing livestock with sheds hopefully now brimmed with fodder and bedding ready for the daily winter routine to begin.
Pumpkin fields will soon be packed with families searching for the best pumpkin to carve and the most “Insta” picture for social media, and those involved in turkey production and Christmas festivities will be preparing for the overindulgence by all in December.
Whichever of these references resonates with you, then Oxford is where you need to find yourself at the start of January.
New horizons
A new year always brings with it the feeling of a clean slate, and a desire for new beginnings regardless of whether we want to admit it or not.
Both the Oxford Farming Conference and the Oxford Real Farming Conference offer the chance to indulge in new ways of thinking for our own businesses.
Having attended both conferences over recent years with the help of the Future Farmers of Yorkshire, I am well positioned to say they are both superb conferences.
Despite many preconceptions around the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), I can safely say delegates are very welcoming and happy to share thoughts and ideas freely.
Plenty to entice and inspire
If I was a betting man, I would say there is high chance of some large announcements being made at the upcoming OFC from our current farming ministers.
With the chance to stay in the university accommodation, experience dinner in the Great Hall and witness the famous debate – the Oxford Farming Conference should be on every farmers ‘bucket list’.
If your farming style is less traditional or the neighbour over the hedge who is doing things ‘somewhat different to everyone else’ intrigues you massively, then the Oxford Real Farming Conference could be the one for you.
With a much more relaxed informal feel, discussing issues around farming with a strong emphasis on the environment, this conference doesn’t disappoint. Sessions are based around practical case studies with tangible ideas for the ‘every-farmer’.
The biggest similarity of both conferences is the people, and the conversations you will become immersed in if you do find time to attend.
Regardless of if you learn anything from any of the sessions, I can guarantee that you will learn at least something from a fellow delegate.
Even if it may be at dinner or at 1am in one of the many local pubs brimming with conference delegates.
Future Farmers of Yorkshire offers bursaries to both conferences and with applications closing this Monday (23rd September), now is the perfect time to seize the moment and apply to kick off a brilliant 2025!
Be part of Future Farmers
Future Farmers of Yorkshire is free to join to everyone living and working in agriculture across the region and beyond.
It brings together more than 1,000 like-minded farmers, vets and other allied industry professionals, eager to expand their knowledge and excel in their careers.
Look out for more opportunities from Future Farmers this autumn: save the date for our Harvest Dinner Dance at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Saturday 23rd November, and sign up to hear about all out latest activities here.
Don’t just take our word for it…
Join us: Membership of Future Farmers is free, sign up here
More: Full testimonials from our previous OFC attendees and ORFC delegates
