Yes well, here's another post then.... following on from my last post of 'why be the next generation?' I thought I would arise this point. Matty, whose comments you will find in many of these posts (and whose picture will be in this weeks farmers weekly I believe!), bought up the point of young farmer awards; a couple of people have supported it, and the lovly Isabel has illaberated on the point. So does anyone want to comment on having 'young person' awards, or any other ways that you feal might encourage young people into agriculture (like money- young people should be given lots and lots of money wouldn't you agree? ). Or does anyone know of any support that young people are offered? Or any other information concerning young people in agriculture that I have missed?

Just a note on supporting young people finacially... In Yorkshire there is an organisation called 'Growing Routes' I believe. They offer friendly advice and even grants I think, and support young people in the countryside with their businesses. Unfortunatly they only work in the Yorkshire area, but google them if your interested. (I hope all that information is correct- sorry if I'm incorrect). Seeda offer grants and support, although I'm unsure of their attitude to young people, but they do help with diversification (having just gone to one of their meetings this morning) and they seem to be very good. But I'm affraid I'm unsure of any other young person grants for agriculture, but I am looking !

Rather than offering money, maybe they should be offered some further mentorship by leaders in the industry. Money isn't an issue if the plans are sound and stack up well, although maybe banks should have a role in this young persons affair, by maybe offering a more specialised dervice to young people going into business, that recognises that there may be risk, but the bank could maybe help out a little more than usual with advice etc.

down here there is a company or organisation who have tenant young farmers on old farmers farms, so the young person can gain experience and the old farmers can still have a say in there farm instead of selling up. People like matty have it harder because they do not come from a farming background and do not have a farm to inherit ?

Money would be nice but not practical

How about a scheme of offering incentives such as low rent land to start young people off, particulalry to people from a non farming background.

Yes, well said somerset boy. Just a step on the ladder really! If money was given,mostof the people will just go and spend it, buying nice fendts and new hollands,forget about the land and then think,balls, what will i do now? I am justsaying for a majority, they are,after allsome very business wise people but i think what somerset boy is suggesting, is a good idea!

Good incentives  - all we need now is a half decent government! Get out Gordon!

I just thought......

Whatif FW would agree to run a series of articles on US. THE NEXT GENERATION! Not only would FW look good for promoting uis, we get to say our piece and get ourself known, and show we ARE NOT all dirty,lay abouts. MAy be something for farm life? It could be a series and someone could be in every week for a number of weeks? What you's think? and more specifically, what does Fw think? Plus, farmers would also see that we are enthusiastic and aint just raving loonys whowant to drive big kit.

Matt.

matt thats a really good idea, kind of like the arable and dairy farmer reports each week? there is alredy a kids blog on fwi though

em xx

Ill second that, although you say we're not all dirty lay abouts... well we may not be layabouts, but we are all dirty, especailly emma.....

http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/fw-kids-connect-campaign/

this is the link to kids blog, would be good to see something like this in fw though instead of just on the internet

Great idea Matty. See what the powers that be think...

We have our blogs, but what about those who dont read them but read FW? 

Thanks!!haha

 Pasty- the blog is finished now. i asked tim about it! Or even when you say report each week, FWcould even jus doa  one off series of taking farming from our prespectives, from the ''farmers son''type view, from the  ''ag mechanic view'' and from say,my view- an ''outsider trying to get into farming''.

Plus, we could have some really corny pics!! haha

At 15 years old my father gave me a ford 7810 ,Mc'connell hedge trimmer and a grimme tornado de stoner and a buck rake.....I made a business out of it...?