Want to broaden your horizons? Interested in the future of the Farming Industry? Do you care what happens to the next generation in the agricultural sector?
Why not apply for an all expenses paid trip to the Oxford Farming Conference…which is being held on 3rd – 5th January 2018, kindly sponsored by The Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural for members of Staffordshire YFC?
The Oxford Farming conference is a fabulous opportunity to get involved within the future of agriculture, with topical discussions, talks and presentations mixed with socializing and meeting some top people within the industry, all within the spectacular grounds of Oxford University, it really is an opportunity not to be missed!
How to apply? Click here
For more information about the conference head to the website https://www.ofc.org.uk/
Deadline for applications has been extended to 9am on Wednesday 1st November!
Ridware YFC are holding an evening on Wednesday 1st October to recruit some new members and expand the leading committee to take the club into 2017/18.
Come along to find out more about being a part of the largest rural youth organisation in Staffordshire!
Dont miss out on your chance to nominate a deserving member for the Junior & Senior Merit Awards. The results are announced at the County AGM on Friday 10th November 2017.
Click here to find the nomination form Click Here
All nominations need to be in by Monday 2nd October 2017.
All Clubs are invited to enter a Scrapbook into the Annual Competition which is judged after Thursday 5th October when all books are due to be submitted. The Scrapbook Award is presented at the Annual General Meeting which is being held on Friday 10th November, 7pm at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford.
For the Rules and Details of how your Club’s Scrapbook could take Staffordshire’s top spot for 2016/17, have a read below.
The cream of Staffordshire’s top stock judging members took on teams from around the West Midlands Area of YFC’s (WMA) on Sunday 23rd July at the WMA Stockman/Young Stockjudge of the Year competitions, hosted by The Lawton Family at Weston Jones, just outside Newport. Competitors judged four rings of stock (4 Dairy Cows, 4 Butchers Cattle, 4 Commercial Breeding Ewes, 4 Butchers Lambs) and then gave Reasons on all four rings of stock. They also completed an Animal Health and Husbandry Questionnaire. After a great competition with over 60 YFC members taking part, Staffordshire members took the following placings:
Young Stockman of the Year – 1st, Daniel Weaver of Stone YFC, 2nd, Elizabeth James of Leek YFC and in 3rd, Will Leese of Eccleshall YFC.
Stockman of the Year – 2nd, Peter James of Leek YFC
In the team awards, the Staffordshire team made up of Jake Manning (Lichfield YFC), Katie James (Leek YFC), Sally Leese (Eccleshall YFC) and Peter James (Leek YFC) took the 2nd place for the overall team.
Daniel, Elizabeth and Peter will now go forward to compete at the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Farm Skills Day and hope to bring home some silverware again to Staffordshire, following in the footsteps of Rob Mollatt of Uttoxeter JNFU last year who won the competition overall.
Stockjudging is one of the many competitions that are on offer to anyone who would like to become a member of the country’s largest rural youth organisation. There is a myth that it is “just for farmers” which is completely untrue, members come from a variety of backgrounds and many don’t even own a pair of wellies! Each of the ten clubs across the county hold a unique and varied programme of weekly events and the social life available to anyone aged 10 – 26 years of age is amazing.
Six members have been representing Staffordshire in the NFYFC Dairy Stockjudging Finals, well done to Chloe Boothby (Uttoxeter JNFU), Beth Robinson (Lichfield YFC) and Will Gallimore (Uttoxeter JNFU) for taking part.
A massive well done goes to Peter Cotton (Waterhouses YFC) for bring home 1st place in the Junior section. Peter narrowly missed out last year after taking joint 2nd overall in the same competition last year. The Overall Team gaining second place with Peter Cotton (Waterhouses YFC), Kate Mollatt (Uttoxeter JNFU) & Sammie Wilson (Eccleshall YFC).
A very successful Great Yorkshire Show for Staffordshire YFC!!
On Sunday 2nd July, Lichfield YFC organised their largest Tractor Run to date, raising valuable funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust. This small club based in the south of Staffordshire managed to coordinate 40 tractors and drivers travelling 23 miles around Lichfield and the surrounding villages of Whittington, Fradley and Kings Bromley. Drivers had a quick “refreshment pit-stop” at Lichfield Rugby Club half way through the journey and then continued back to the starting location of Curborough Hall Farm, Lichfield for a BBQ and refreshments, kindly hosted by The Hollinshead Family.
Nick Hollinshead, club member of Lichfield YFC who coordinated the day said “We are really pleased with how well this year’s run has gone and think that with donations still coming in, we will have raised over £1100 towards The Teenage Cancer Trust. We look forward to making the presentation to them later in the year.”
YFC Clubs across Staffordshire regularly raise funds for other charities, despite being a charitable organisation themselves. Total funds raised last year across Staffordshire exceeded £13’600 towards various charities including the NSPCC, Midlands Air Ambulance and Farming Community Network.
Following lots of interest in reforming Cheadle Young Farmers in Staffordshire, a very successful New Members Night was held on Wednesday 28th June with over 40 young potential members ranging from 10 – 23 years of age along with plenty of parents and supporters attending.
George Goodwin, County Chairman said “Cheadle YFC is destined to be in plenty of capable, enthusiastic and young hands following the initial meeting in the Cheadle and District area since the club became dormant four years ago! It is an exciting time for all Staffordshire YFC, adding to their already strong membership across the county.”
Cheadle YFC was originally founded in 1954 but closed following a lack of members in 2012. The Club has the potential to become active in all areas of YFC and members last night showed a particular interest in getting stuck into Public Speaking, Stockjudging and Tug of War as well as various Sports. Being a part of Young Farmers offers members aged 10 – 26 years a unique opportunity to run their own organisation, for their fellow members, in a democratic manner. Weekly meetings and activities are shaped and organised by the members, giving them invaluable leadership and interpersonal skills for the future.
The next meeting is being held on Wednesday 5th July, 8pm at Oakamoor Cricket Pavilion, ST10 3AN for a Rounders and Social.
Staffordshire YFC’s ultimate party of the year takes place on Saturday 15th July 2017.
Remember tickets are now selling fast at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/ELEKDL
It has been announced today that Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award is given in recognition of the tremendous amount of work which this rural youth organisation does through its ten active clubs for young people aged 10 – 26 years.
George Goodwin, County Chairman said “Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) are absolutely delighted to win the Queens Award for Voluntary Service this year. It is wonderful way for our organisation to be recognised and to thank all our members who volunteer in their clubs on a weekly basis to give young people aged 10 – 26 years a great social life, endless opportunities and equip them with skills which will serve them so well for the rest of their lives. It is also an opportunity for us to say thank you to the wider network of volunteer supporters, past members, advisory committees who commit so much time and energy into ensuring that our clubs continue to grow and we remain one of the strongest YFC federations in the country.”
Jeremy Lowe, NFU Staffordshire adviser, said: “Having nominated Staffordshire YFC for this award I’m obviously delighted that they have been successful. The hard work county organiser Julia Taylor puts in, alongside the rest of the team, is exemplary and it’s more than fitting that she and the young farmers have been recognised in this way, they are worthy recipients. NFU members and everyone involved in the agricultural industry appreciates that it’s been a tough few years, nevertheless, I am always inspired by the energy and enthusiasm shown by Staffordshire Young Farmers in the wide range of events and competitions the county team organises. I am reassured that the skills and confidence these young farmers are developing will hold them in good stead for their future careers in the industry, as the next generation are vital for its success and we will continue to work closely with them in the months and years ahead.”
Chief Executive Principle of South Staffordshire College, Graham Morley said “I’m delighted that Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs have received this Queens Award in recognition of the outstanding service they provide for young people across the County. The work they do, often unseen, has a massive positive impact upon the young people in our rural communities and I congratulate all those involved”.
George Goodwin along with Richard Mottershead, County Vice Chairman, were invited to attend the Queens Garden Party a few weeks ago as part of the achievement and enjoyed a wonderful day in London and inside Buckingham Palace Gardens.
Staffordshire YFC will be organising a fitting celebration later in the year to mark the occasion where the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire will present a Crystal Award and Certificate signed by the Queen.
