The Next Generation

Harper Adams .....four years on....

failedfarmer — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:16:27 GMT

Four years ago I was worried about my son going to Uni at Harper Adams, and at that time there was a lot in the press about initiations and bullying at small universities. There was much debate on here (it has gone now!) which at times got very heated!

Well...its over!!! The four years are done, and have been well worth every parental penny....The things I worried about so much as a parent (freshers challenge, named socks,living with big drinking party people) came to nothing. He has changed into a self motivated hard working young man, somewhere along the way, rather than someone who had to be pushed begged and bribed to do a job. I am so immensely proud I could burst!

Thankyou all those who said that it would be the making of him (Cornish b*******d, I think, for one)

how to get started in farming

case 5150 — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:29:14 GMT

Im new to the forum. im looking for some information on how to get started in farming i stay on a farm and have done most of my life. but its never been a working farm we only have 20 acres. but im realy intrested in farming it. and renting other ground. ive got plenty of sheds etc. my question is how do i go about getting started is there and grant aid for starting out any help would be good thank you

Regards

Mark

Work ex

Bigbull84 — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:57:32 GMT

Hi i'm currently studying agriculture and as part of the course i am required to carry out work ex during the summer. I'm looking for dairy farms in east midlands if possible but will travel if accommodation supplied. If interested please get in touch Thanks.

what to do

Hodgey10 — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:33:31 GMT

i am currently in my last year at school doing A levels and am meant to be off to uni in scotland to do a business degree, being from a farming background i am farming in the brain. i really do believe that it is in the blood however the home farm is in bad shape and is a long way from being a profitable business. i do have general farmhand work during the summer really am not sure what to do as i dont want to start uni this sept and regret it.. ive witnessed nothing but bad results in farming such as the collaspe of the pig market and we then invested heavely in broilers and these now are even starting to decline. it nearly seems that everything is in decline would it really be wise to invest time and money into an industry that has a very uncertain future any advice on what i should do or anything wud be most appreciated

To uni or not to uni

dairy_queen — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:34:00 GMT

Hi i'm after some advice, I have a place to study agriculture (4 year course) at harper adams starting september 2013 however i'm not sure its the right path for me, i intend to come home to the family farm at the end of it, and am doubting is there much point me going to uni or should i do a part time course at a local college and spend the 4 years making developments to the home farm and avoid the debt? thanks

Agricultural Student looking for part time work

Emilie — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:41:19 GMT

My name is Emilie, I am 19 and I am currently a higher education student at the University Of West England, Hartpury College, studying Agricultural Business Management. I am a keen pig enthusiast, and I am looking for a part time position, helping on the farm, doing day to day jobs to gain more experience and knowledge about pigs over the summer, from the start of July.

I am currently working in Suffolk, on a 6500 outdoor unit, as part of my university course. I have already learnt a lot on my stay and I will have 3 months experience by the time I have finished.

I can drive a tractor, and I have my PA1, PA2 and PA6 qualifications. I am also registered with PIPR.

If anyone knows of any positions going around the gloucestershire/oxfordshire area id be happy to help!

Contact email: emilie@arkendale.plus.com or emilierowe@hotmail.co.uk Mobile Number: 07753400686

Tractor test and licenses

fordsonmajor23 — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:08:15 GMT

Im 16 soon and wish to be able to drive a tractor on the roads. Please could someone shed some light on what I can drive, where I can drive and what the test involves.

Many thanks

BASIS qualification

drownjack — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:22:01 GMT

Hello everyone! I am in a great situation where I been able to change careers from an office type job into a farming role which I love. I work on a poultry site 60% of the time and rest a bit of arable work. I have basic knowledge of crops and the cycles and applied for a trainee agronomist role.

I was accepted which is great but was wondering how hard BASIS is? I am a very practical learner and learn quickly. I have no qualifications in agriculture but am very passionate about it and put a lot of effort into whatever I do.

My question:

Is BASIS very hard and would I struggle to learn what is needed of me? I think I can do it and I will work very hard but would like some advice from people who have done BASIS and any advice they have to offer?

Summer Work

Bigbull84 — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:50:39 GMT

I'm A student looking for some paid summer work. I have a keen interest in dairy/ beef production. If any one can help around the east midlands area let me know. I have my own transport. Thanks

Lambing Experience Needed - Urgent

Nessie162 — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:55:08 GMT

I'm 17 year old girl hoping to apply for Veterinary Medicine this year.
I am hardworking, confident about working with animals and enthusiastic. Although I have no previous experience in lambing, I am a quick learner.

I am looking for lambing placement in Glasgow (or Central Scotland in general) area, BUT if accommodation could be provided I am willing to travel literally anywhere.

I am looking for a week of Lambing work experience.
From 8th to 12th of April 2013
OR
From 6th to 10th of May 2013.

I am also happy to come back for 2014 lambing season if needed or to work with cattle during 2013 and 2014 summer holidays.

I'm really struggling with finding any Sheep work experience, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Contact Details:

E-mail: szysza33@gmail.com

Thank You in Advance

Where to find work experience?

JC_21 — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:36:42 GMT

I am a first year student at Aberystwyth University, doing a foundation degree in biology and chemistry, I will be moving on to do Agriculture and Animal Science in September 2013.

I am trying to find different types of farms/businesses who would take me on for some work experience, as I don't come from an Agricultural back ground, I have sent emails out to local businesses and farms at home (Edinburgh area) but have had very little reply, I seem to be struggling to find any form of experience at all because of my lack of contacts I don't really know where to start.

I have a very small amount of experience with sheep and beef cattle, and also have experience working on a fruit farm during the summer months.

Does anyone have any suggestions where I could look for experience, I am not looking to get paid work, would be a bonus though, but its not important as I really just want to get the experience behind me that alot of my future class mates will have, I am a hard working individual, and believe that I pick up new skills quickly.

Thanks for reading

Combine Headers

squires2013 — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:36:40 GMT

I am a Final Year Agriculture and Mechanisation student at Harper Adams undertaking a research Project into Combine Headers and would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete my questionnaire. The link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/harper-adams2013 Thanks

Get yourself featured in FW

Tim.Relf — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:08:21 GMT

There's a new monthly feature called The Student Files in the Farmlife section of FW. Fancy appearing in it? Here's how to get in touch.

Choosing Right University

TimorCafe — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:50:33 GMT

I've been working on a coffee plantation in Timor-Leste for 2 years, I came here for experience when I was 19 and was offered full time work shortly afterwards. Farming in tropical climates is great work and I love the travel aspect of what I do. I've been researching into my next best step to progress with my career, and I would like to get a qualification to go with my experience, so I want to do a course at university. I am from England but want to do my study abroad (possibly in Asia as I am already here) and hopefully continue my work overseas, as I am already in a good position to do so. Does anybody have recommendations on good Agronomy or Tropical Agriculture courses at universities? What are the most respected universities for farming? I am not a great academic, but I think I can pass for university with previous qualifications and experience in farming. I'm considering a full bachelor course, however a diploma might be a better idea for me. First post!

Harvest Work !

John Deere 6830 — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:20:37 GMT

I know it a little early to be looking for harvest job for summer 2013 , im almost 18 year's old and at my last year in an Agricultural collage studying extended diploma level 3 . I have a full driving license and a tractors license , I have PA1 spraying certificate and in the middle of doing my PA2 and Lodall certificates now . I have one season harvest experiance , carting silage , spreading silage , rowing up etc for a local contractor . I am looking for harvest work for august and september idealy , when alot of the silage work is over ! . Iff enyone could suggest places or contact me would be very gratefull .

Starting out farming

Red Ruby Heifer — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:49:40 GMT

There's a current post running in 'Talking Point' (look for subject heading 'succession') that might interest any 20- or 30-somethings that have an agric qualification & some experience who are trying to get farming... Check it out.

"Must-takes" for Blackpool YFC agm

Tim.Relf — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:23:54 GMT

What are the items that you mustn't forget to take? Here are three to get us started.

Sense of humour. Bucket and spade. Your speech if you're giving a presentation at the agm...

Would you be interested in featuring in a real life Emmerdale?

MonkeyKingdomTV — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:27:28 GMT

We are a TV production company who are interested in developing a show all about the lives of young people and young farmers living in the countryside. We have experience in making shows such as E4's Made in Chelsea and ITV2's "The Only Way is Essex" and are now looking for the next big thing in docu-drama.

Would you like to show the nation that living in the countryside is just as action-packed as any city life? We are interested in talking to groups of friends and individuals aged between 17 and 26 who work and live within the countryside and might be interested in being involved in a show that follows their everyday lives.

If you are interested please do get in touch with a description about yourself, what you get up to and why you think you would be right for this kind of show to stephaniem@monkeykingdom.com 0207 749 3118

qualifactions

danh — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:40:27 GMT

hi im not sure if any one can help us really my partener is looking to do a course in farm administration with a online collage/ uni but it no were states if you can do this course strate away or if you have to do a standard administration course first and alot of places also only offer a cerfitacte in farm administration rather than a actual NVQ, Diploma or degree. if any one knows any thing about this type of course any advice would be muchly appricated.

many thanks

Are you on Facebook or do you twitter?

Red Ruby Heifer — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:25:02 GMT

Just wondering which social media you young farmers use most? Thinking of getting in across it to lure the under-40s to our pedigree herd website... responses please!

Enter Defra's Twitter campaign

Verity Hambrook (Defra) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:56:22 GMT

What are the barriers facing your future in farming? Would you like the chance to meet your Farming Minister, David Heath, at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London and discuss how to get more young people working in food and farming? Enter our #meetfm Twitter competition. From Wednesday 2 January 2013, we want young people across the country to tweet @Defragovuk with what they see as the key barriers facing their future in farming, using #meetfm. All entries must be tweeted by Thursday 24 January 2013. David Heath will then review all the responses and invite five individuals to meet him at the Houses of Parliament.

looking for someone to train me

jj12 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:57:03 GMT

Hi there im hoping to find a farmer in the Ayrshire area to train me in all aspects of sheep farming. I currently work full time on a poultry farm so im looking for weekend and evening work. My dream is to eventually have my own little place to run part time as well as my full time job. Im 29 and a good worker. Any help or advice would be great.

help

drewdunnrespect — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:02:52 GMT

okay i am twenty five and have no experience in farming but have always had a dream of becoming a shepherd and one day would love my own flock. Now i currently work in a hotel and live in the north east of England. Now i am willing to do what ever is necessary to enable me to do this and enable me to become a shepherd but i need some advice on where to start and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction drew

How to buy your own farm.

sarahlou — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:34:43 GMT

Me and my partner are so Desperate to buy a farm of our own. However we have no clue how to start. Do you have to get mortgage or business loan? Are there grants available? Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks

Lambing expierience wanted for early april!

Grumpyxcat — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:50:21 GMT

Hello, I am 22 years old. I am looking for volunteer experience to help during lambing season in exchange for being able to stay at the farm. I am living in London, I will travel a sensible distance. I have no experience with lambing, but I am hardworking and willing to learn! As stated I would like the experience to start from 4th april for 2 weeks(?).

Please let me know if you find me suitable or if you have any tips on how I could get this experience arranged.
Many thanks!