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This week is , an opportunity to celebrate all things YFC and how it makes a difference in rural communities to both the members and the sector. 

This year’s theme – how YFC makes a difference – aims to shout about the positive contributions young farmers make in their local communities and to British Food and Farming. 

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ has been proudly making a difference for almost 125 years as an institution proudly built on foundations in agriculture, food production and animal health. We produce graduates that go and make the difference in their specialism – so it comes as no surprise that many of our students have been members of YFCs before, during and after their time studying with us. 

Moving to university can be a potentially daunting experience for some people, so knowing you have a strong community to rely on can put students at ease – one reason why some of our students join local YFCs when they move here. And some stay closely involved in their home clubs throughout their studies, too.  

We asked members of the Harper Adams community who are also members of Young Farmers’ Clubs about their experience and how it has impacted their Harper Adams experience.

Toby Woodroff, BVetMS Veterinary Medicine & Surgery student - Rushbury and Cardington YFC 

Favourite thing about YFC - Carol singing and meeting new people 

It has improved my work life as it’s encouraged me to go home and see my friends at young farmers and stay a part of my local home community. It also allowed me to make connections with people in Shropshire clubs in freshers as we had something in common. 

Regan Harding-Smith, PhD Student – Wem YFC 

Favourite thing about YFC – The ability to develop friendships and interact with likeminded people.

Moving to Shropshire for my Master’s degree was a big change (especially not knowing anyone), but joining the local Young Farmers' Club really helped. It introduced me to friendly group of people with similar interests. Alongside this, I got involved in various projects and competitions I probably wouldn’t have discovered on my own. Being part of the club made settling in much easier and turned my university experience into something less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.

Millie Preece, studied BSc (Hons) Food & Consumer Studies, before undertaking her PhD – Much Wenlock YFC

Favourite thing about YFC – The skills you learn and the people you meet.

I wanted to come to Harper Adams because it had good links with industry but also older members in YFC would tell me about it and I really wanted to come and have a look. It's all to do with the social network you build in YFC which is then expanded when you arrive at Harper, as you have things in common to talk to people about and make friends.

All the competitions, such as speaking, Situations Vacant (job application), and taking on YF roles at a young age helped me get a place at Harper on the Food Course with my personal statement, as well as practice for job interviews, develop skills needed for my degree, PhD and job. The roles I had completed in YFC helped with group projects, such as being able to time manage which is very different from when you jump from school to university.

Later in my degree, the people I met through Young Farmers and being a part of the Harper community helped me gain my placement job, with all the skills and lessons I'd learned, as well as and my graduate job. Every competition and element of YFC helped me become the person I am today - being able to stand up to a room of people to give a presentation for my PhD or give a lecture to students. I also have a vast social network through the combination of people I met through YFC and at Harper, meaning I have met and know someone in lots of areas of the UK and particularly in the County.

YFC gives you the confidence to have a go and be willing to do things. I have also just finished being County Chairman of Shropshire YFC and the skills you learn to juggle different aspects of being a role of responsibility helps you with your job. Also, being able to give back to the organisation that has given me so much, such as friends, a YFC family and numerous skills which will stay with me for life. There aren't many organisations where you bake a cake, go for a social, do a speaking competition, take part in an obstacle course, compete in a drama competition, judge livestock, organise charity fundraisers and club nights and also run a 1000 person event (my Shropshire YFC Chairman's Ball) - how you explain that in one sentence is beyond me - YFC gives you so much! 

Annabel Lea, BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science before undertaking MProf. in Rural Estate and Land Management – Wem YFC, former Whitchurch YFC 

Favourite thing about YFC - Wide range of opportunities, from taking part in a variety of competitions to travel opportunities. 

YFC is a fantastic organisation that really helps build character and helps growth of its members. I honestly don’t think I would have ever considered attending Harper Adams if it hadn’t been for fellow club members encouraging me to go along to an open day.

When I did start at Harper, I felt much more confident being surrounded by likeminded people—something I was already used to from my time in YFC. The farm tours I was able to attend through YFC really helped me connect the theory from Harper’s teaching to real-world farming, which definitely helped my understanding.

The public speaking competitions, especially Situations Vacant, gave my confidence and the ability to practice my interview when applying for placement opportunities. 

It’s also great knowing so many people at Harper who are involved in YFC. It’s made it really easy to organise exchanges and stay connected with friends and clubs from all over the country.