Fun, Learning & Achievement.
Not just for farmers.
Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs is affiliated to the National Federation (NFYFC), one of the largest voluntary rural youth organisations in the UK, dedicated to young people who have a love for agriculture and rural life.
Young Farmers Clubs provide an opportunity for young people to develop, to learn and to enjoy themselves by offering a diverse, fun and educational programme of activities planned by members, for members.
Herefordshire is made up of 14 Clubs based throughout the County for members to join, these are supported by the County Federation made up of the County Officers Team who take the lead on organising competitions, events and training, the County in turn feeds in to Area and National for members to progress and input into. A varied Competitions programme is held each year and includes some of the following areas members can take part in:
Young Farmers Clubs provide an opportunity for young people to develop, to learn and to enjoy themselves by offering a diverse, fun and educational programme of activities planned by members, for members.
Cookery, Baking and Cake Decorating
Crafts and Needlework
Fence Erecting , Hedging and Ploughing
First Aid and Health & Safety
Floral Art
Just Fun competitions
Performing Arts, Music and Dance
Photography and Art
Public Speaking and Employment Skills
Stockjudging and Shearing
Sports including Tug Of War
Welding, Metalwork and Woodwork
Workshop Skills
Competitions are held in a variety of locations including local farms, schools and at the Annual Three Counties Show in June. All competions and events are run by the members and assisted by a large group of volunteers who help with Judging, Stewarding, Catering and so much more.
Training opportunities are also made available to members in various skills to aid competing and to further their education and qualifications. Training has been taken in First Aid, Food Hygiene, Poultry Boning and Jointing, Trailer tests and more opportunities are looked in to each year by the Officers. NFYFC also offer Curve Module Training for Club members to become an accredited trainer and deliver the workshops to Clubs as part of their club programme, including a certificate of completion. This includes topics such as Farm Safety, Event Budgeting, Social Media, Cash Management, Alcohol Awareness and so on.
The Princes Countryside Fund supports training opportunities for HFYFC members and is open to YFC members up to age 40 to gain funding towards the costs of any training that will improve their employability, increase their skill set, improve their safety or allow them to undertake extra responsibility in their current job. More information can be obtained from Herefordshire Rural Hub who administer this scheme with HFYFC.
As well as a varied programme of Competitions and Training, members also take part in Social and Fundraising Events organised by Clubs and County in support of HFYFC, as well as fundraising for other Charities. These events have included the Annual Chairman’s Ball and Rally Dance, Nightclub evenings, Quiz Nights, Race Nights, Big Breakfast’s, Bingo, and more.
Promotion of what HFYFC does and it’s events is also dealt with in house by the Officers, as well as obtaining sponsorship from local businesses to assist in the running of competitions and events. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please see our Support Us page.
Members can gain benefits from National, including member only deals for events, subscriptions, training, activities and shopping. Please see the NFYFC website for more details on member benefits.
As well as this, NFYFC offers a varied Travel Programme giving members the opportunity to travel abroad with homestays, working scholarships, Club exchanges, hosting, team travel and the annual ski trip. Members have had the opportunity to try things like tackling the white water rapids in Canada, helping out in an ice cream factory in Sweden, shearing sheep in New Zealand and building schools in Uganda.
There are more opportunities open to members through NFYFC and for the next generation of farmers voices to be heard on rural and agricultural issues affecting all Counties.
For more information on Young Farmers’ Clubs and the opportunities open to members please visit the NFYFC website.