The Farmers Mart Apr/May 2014 - Issue 33 | Page 31

YOUNG FARMERS

SURVEY REVEALS CONCERNS
OF YOUNG FARMERS
Young farmers are concerned about low incomes and an
inability to save for the future, according to initial findings by
The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC)
and The Farming Community Network (FCN).
people who live in rural areas. I grew up
in a very remote rural location in Cornwall
but I was lucky because I joined a Young
Farmers’ Club, which gave me access to a
social life, support and friendship.
“NFYFC would like to develop more
in-depth research into the issues affecting
the mental health of young people living
in rural areas so that we and other
organisations can offer more support.”

The survey results mark the launch
of a new NFYFC campaign, called
Rural+, aimed at highlighting the
unique challenges faced by young
people living in rural areas in the
UK.
The survey asked young people with a
farming background about their hopes for
the future and, among the major concerns
highlighted, were the limited opportunities
for them to start farming (32%) and the
lack of rural housing (55%).

‘young farmers also
share the same
concerns felt by
the young people
more generally’
In addition to rural challenges, young
farmers also share the same concerns felt
by young people more generally – such
as low self esteem and concerns about
body image (47% and 45% respectively).
The majority of respondents were aged
between 16 and 25 years old.
The survey also revealed young farmers
were concerned about:
• Poor returns from farming (58%)
• Animal diseases such as bTB,
Schmallenberg virus (59%)
• Uncertainty of future farming profitability
(54%)
• Limited rural employment opportunities
(41%)
• Lack of capital/availability of finance
(41%) and high land rents (45%)
• Low income (50%) and inability to save
(45%).
The Rural+ campaign is the brainchild
of new NFYFC Chairman Claire Worden,
who wants to raise awareness of rural
isolation, and to show the support
Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC) can offer.

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‘majority felt that there
were considerable
obstacles to them
becoming farmers’

Reassuringly, the survey revealed that
47% of respondents would speak to their
YFC if they had a practical problem – and
77% would also speak to a family member
or friend.
Working with The Farming Community
Network and YoungMinds, NFYFC will
be providing resources and guides
for members who need help. TAMA,
world leader in the manufacture of crop
packaging products, is backing the
NFYFC campaign by sponsoring materials
for clubs and counties to use.

‘only proves that
more work is needed
to find out the true
extent of the issues’
Claire Worden, NFYFC’s National
Chairman of Council, said: “Our initial
research into this vast area only proves
that more work is needed to find out the
true extent of the issues affecting young

Responses to the survey also indicated
that succession planning and continuing
the family business were also a cause for
concern for young people. Only 9% of
respondents had agreed a succession
plan for their family business.
Charles Smith, Chief Executive of The
Farming Community Network, said: “The
survey highlighted some very real and
considerable concerns faced by our rural
young people. Whilst 50% of respondents
saw themselves remaining in a farming
related career, the majority felt that there
were considerable obstacles to them
becoming farmers in their own right. Sadly,
the survey also confirmed that few families
are openly discussing succession and the
future of their family farms. Together with
the difficulties many are facing with family
relationships and a lack of self-esteem,
possibly the result of a lack of clarity over
their futures, there is much to be done to
support our young farmers.
“FCN is delighted to be working
alongside the NFYFC to better support
their membership and to be there as and
when they need practical or pastoral help
from our volunteer network.”

FarmersMart Apr/May 2014

31