Handing over my SU reins is a wrench

20-year-old Harriet Wilson is going into her second year at Harper Adams, where she is studying for a BSc in Agri-Food Marketing with Business. Back home she manages her own herd of British Blue cattle on the family’s 300-acre farm in Haughton, Stafford.

It’s safe to say the spring term at Harper ended on a big high. With all of our assignments done, we were free to enjoy the sunshine in Newport with barbeques and even a spot of karaoke. Getting to this point, however, was less easy.

Before my last assignment was handed in, I had to squeeze in a study trip to Brussels. The purpose of the trip was to visit the European Parliament and discuss matters surrounding the CAP Reform debate with MEPs. This trip was kindly sponsored by South East MEP Richard Ashworth and it was represented by young farmers from Norfolk, Kent, Bedfordshire, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire – not forgetting my sister and me from Staffordshire.

We discussed greening proposals and the need for simplification, as well as the prospects for young farmers. We were also able to visit the CEJA (European Council of Young Farmers) office, which works as a lobbying establishment on behalf of young farmer organisations including NFYFC. Although we were only there for two days (and I had to frantically write my assignment by hand during the 20-hour coach journey), it really was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the CAP reform and voice our hopes for the future of farming.

Sadly, my time on the Student Union at Harper Adams came to an end this month. and the initiations for the new SU took place following the election. My co-driver Joe and I drove north to drop three of the elected candidates in Hartlepool – home of 2007 SU president David Martin. David kindly put Joe and me up for the night, while the new SU slept in a “cosy” shed before setting out on the challenge of finding their way back to Harper Adams.

When each officer had landed safely back on Harper Adams soil and were settled into their new positions, it was time for the SU handover. The old SU dressed up in the theme of ‘History’ and were treated to a delicious five-course meal. The new SU, on the other hand, donned their finest pair of overalls and cleaned the Student Union bar. On our return, we handed them a list of fun tasks to carry out, but the greatest task for all of us was to stay awake until 8am the following morning.

However, this does not mean that I now have lots of free time – not at all. Following the handover I threw myself straight into the organisation of the Agriculture, Business and Food course dinner, which gives businesses the opportunity to meet and establish connections with students. The theme of the evening is ‘Best of British’ and 250 students and guests will enjoy some fantastic British dishes with food sourced from local and regional companies.

Over the last few months we have also had the privilege of becoming friends with Harper’s first US exchange student from Cornell University. I found Betsey’s description of Harper hilarious: “The accents are thick and the weather is cool, but there is nothing warmer than the hearts of the students and the faculty.” Betsey has thrown herself into everything, and was delighted to visit some of our farms, including the Highlands Farm, where she had the opportunity to help with the lambing. I also got involved and was pleased to lamb my very first ewe.

My sister and I have finally persuaded Dad to give us a little more responsibility on the farm, but only on the condition that we get up early every morning. We’re both still working on that one, but I have been injecting, de-horning and recently decided to invest in some heatmount protectors to improve the breeding programme for some of our best suckler cows.

Finally, we have some special visitors to the Staffordshire YFC office next week as a group of Yorkshire Young Farmers will attempt to travel all the way to Torquay on mobility scooters. The AGM isn’t far away now and lots of competitions are being planned back at the Farmers Weekly office, so make sure you look out for the infamous ‘yellow t-shirts’. Oh, and your smartphones may come in very handy too. Unfortunately I am not allowed to give anything else away yet – see you there!