ELEVEN next generation farmers have been named as the NFU’s new Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors for 2023/24, having beaten off stiff competition from more than 50 applicants vying for the posts.

The young farmers, as ambassadors, will attend various events at Parliament, learn more about the industry from peers, and undertake training days, helping them down the path to become ‘the voice of the next generation’.

Growing up and working on his family dairy farm in North Cumbria gave Edward Harrison a passion for agriculture. Since leaving the family farm, Edward has set up his own small regenerative farm alongside his wife where they specialise in rare and native breeds. Edward is looking forward to embracing all the opportunities the programme has to offer and meeting like minded people.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “Huge congratulations to the successful ambassadors who are taking part in this year’s programme.

“It is absolutely fantastic to have such a vibrant and enthusiastic group of people wanting to work with the NFU and tell our positive farming story to the public, opinion formers and politicians, locally and nationally.

“Farming is undergoing huge change, from the complete transition in farming support payments underway and inflationary costs of production impacting farm businesses to the impacts of climate change and more regular adverse weather events, it’s arguably never been a more important time to be able to tell the positive story of British agriculture and showcase the massive show of support we are so fortunate to have from the public.

“We have a fantastic range of regions and agricultural roles represented by this cohort and it is remarkable to see how much they have all already achieved. I can’t wait to see what what impact they have in the coming year.”

The eleven include the following in the north: Edward Harrison; James Scott and Jessica Stewart.

James Scott has just started up a new dairy farm this year. He is passionate about showcasing British Farming and what he gets up to on the farm. Jessica is a solicitor at a rural practice and is from a mixed family farm and is chair of her local young farmers’ club.