On Thursday 31st October, Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) held their County AGM in the Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford. The evening was kindly supported by Pickering and Butters Solicitors, a firm of Staffordshire Solicitors who were founded over a century ago, with offices based in Stafford and Rugeley. Katie White, Head of Department for Business at Pickering & Butters said “We are honoured to continue our long association with Staffordshire YFC by sponsoring their 2024 AGM. We look after the interests of many clients in the rural community, including those from the younger generation. We are privileged to be given the opportunity to support Staffordshire YFC by sponsoring events such as the AGM and we hope our relationship with Staffordshire YFC will continue to flourish.”
The County AGM was attended by over 200 invited guests and members of the Federation and is the most prestigious meeting of the Staffordshire YFC year.
James Freeman gave his Chairman’s Report on the last year of all things Staffordshire YFC , highlighting their favourite memories and moments along the way including we wettest Staffordshire County Show for years and a successful charity luncheon which has allowed the Federation to purchase our own defibrillator. James, a member of Chase Young Farmers said “It has genuinely been one of the best years of my life after having some truly amazing experiences. It hasn’t always been plain sailing, but it has honestly been one of the most enjoyable years and an absolute sheer delight and honour to be the County Chairman of Staffordshire YFC.”
During his report, James also presented the Federation with a new award for the Most Outstanding Individual Stock judger of the year. This year, the award was presented to Adele Sweetmore of Waterhouses YFC.
It was reported by Cathie Hurdman, County Organiser, during the meeting that Staffordshire YFC had 585 members aged 10 – 28 years at 31st August 2024.
John Stone was re-elected the County President for a second year. John said “Thank you for electing me again as your County President, it is a privilege to serve the federation for a second year. I have been made to feel very welcome at all club events. It has been great to see the friendship and fun factor as well as a lot of hard work behind the scenes in all clubs. Please keep up the good work in your clubs, county and the wider community to promote YFC.”
Richard Robinson was re – elected as the Senior Deputy President for the Federation.
The presentations of awards were made by Mr Tim Williams, Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Chairman, to the following Clubs and Individuals:
Most Outstanding County Officer: Andy Hill, Social and Funding Chairman.
David Palij Award: Awarded to the Club that has done the most for charity/community work during the last 12 months.
Winner: Ashley YFC; Runners up: Uttoxeter JNFU
Manifold Marketing Award: Awarded to the Club who best promotes their Club and engagement in Club, County & Community Events.
Winner: Eccleshall YFC; Runners-up: Ashley YFC
The Richard Mottershead Club Programme Award: Awarded to the Club gaining the highest number of points within the Club Efficiency Competition for the Club Programme section.
Winner: Ashley YFC; Joint Runners up: Chase YFC and Eccleshall YFC
Scrapbook Award: Awarded to the Club who produces the most interesting and unique scrapbook based on the activities of their own Club over the past membership year.
Winner: Ashley YFC; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
Junior Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Leek YFC and Uttoxeter JNFU; Runners Up: Ashley YFC, Lichfield YFC and Waterhouses YFC
Intermediate Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Chase YFC; Runners Up: Uttoxeter JNFU and Waterhouses YFC
Senior Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Waterhouses YFC; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC.
Overall Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Eccleshall YFC and Waterhouses YFC; Runner Up: Leek YFC.
Overall Cup for the County Show: Winner: Cheadle YFC; Runner up: Eccleshall YFC
Most Improved Club – Competitions Cup: Awarded to the Club that has achieved the highest improvement in points for competitions from the 2022/23 year.
Winner: Cheadle YFC; Runner Up: Leek YFC
Small Clubs Trophy: Awarded to one of the four smallest Clubs in the County with regard to membership, that has achieved the most points throughout the year for competitions.
Winner: Cheadle YFC; Runner Up: Lichfield YFC
Mr Ken Unwin MBE Memorial Cup: Awarded to the Club who most improves in Public Speaking, Stock Judging, Carcase Judging and Tug of War.
Winner: Eccleshall YFC; Runner Up: Ashley YFC
David Stubbs Award: Awarded to the Club who most improves in Dairy Stockjudging, Stockman/Young Stockjudge of the Year and Carcase Judging.
Winner: Eccleshall YFC; Runner Up: Lichfield YFC
Overall Competitions Cup: Presented to the club with the most points for the Competitions that have been held for the last 12 months:
Joint Winners: Eccleshall YFC and Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up: Chase YFC
W.H.D. Hobson Cup: Awarded to the Club with the highest increase in membership.
Winner: Lichfield YFC; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
Newsletter Shield: For the best contribution to the Young Farmers’ Book of the Year
Winners: Ashley YFC; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
The Staffordshire YFA Travel Ambassador Award: Jessica Powell and Polly Baines who went on the Farm Exchange Tour to Albania in October 2024.
Staffordshire YFC/FCN Kindness & Compassion Award: This was awarded to George and Paddy, brothers from Ashley YFC for their kindness to the elderly in their local community and also at home with a family member.
Mr & Mrs W.A. Taylor Senior Merit Award: Awarded to the most outstanding individual at Club or County level.
This was presented to Molly Sammons of Eccleshall YFC. Molly was the Club Secretary for Eccleshall YFC as well as a Competitions Chairman for the County. During the year she has made an outstanding contribution including coordinating the Clubs Speed Shear, weekly activities and stewarding and promoting numerous competitions and events.
Emily Cartmail of Eccleshall YFC was the Runner Up Member for this award.
Junior Merit Award: This is presented to the most outstanding junior individual at Club or County level. This was presented to Tom of Lichfield YFC. Tom has been an outstanding Club Chairman and shown great leadership skills. His enthusiasm and encouragement have ensured that Lichfield YFC have had a very successful year. He has been described as “the true definition of a young farmer and inspiring rural young leader.”
Katie O’Nions of Eccleshall YFC was the Runner Up Member for this award.
NFYFC Certificates of Achievement were also presented to all members who had taken part in the National Federation of Young Farmers finals of various competitions throughout the year.
As part of their ongoing support to Staffordshire YFC, The Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society kindly sponsored two places for members to attend The Oxford Farming Conference, which is a highlight of the agriculture and food industry calendar and held in January 2025. After submitting a 500-word statement giving reasons as to why they should attend, Danny Emmott and Andy Hill were both chosen to represent Staffordshire YFC at this prestigious event.
The final awards of the evening are the most prestigious to receive and are judged throughout the year as a “Club Efficiency” Competition, which encapsulates all aspects of a YFC Club. The aim of the competition is to encourage members and Club Officers to work together as an effective team for the benefit of all members. Judges look for all aspects of how the clubs are run and hope to see good club administration and record keeping, strong leadership and governance and active promotion of the clubs through publicity and community engagement. They also want to see teamwork, ideas and enthusiasm from all club members. From this competition, the following awards were presented:
Most Outstanding Chairman: Winner: Hollie Kelly, Chase YFC
Runner-up: Tom Harrison, Lichfield YFC
Most Outstanding Secretary: Winner: Liv Larsson, Ashley YFC
Joint Runners-up: Kate Oakes, Chase YFC & Molly Sammons, Eccleshall YFC
Most Outstanding Treasurer: Winner: Archie Woodward, Leek YFC
Runner-up: William Matthews, Ashley YFC
Most Outstanding Club Leader: Winner: James Freeman, Chase YFC
Joint Runners-up: Natalie Bradley & Emily Cartmail, Eccleshall YFC
Club Efficiency Shield: Joint Winners: Ashley YFC & Chase YFC
Runner-up: Leek YFC
Photos from The evening can be found HERE
