Free course on getting into sheep farming
Aspiring farmers are being invited to register for a free one-day course about getting on to the farming ladder by way of the sheep industry.
The event is being organised by the National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Royal Agricultural Society for England (RASE) and will showcase the sheep sector as an exciting and appealing career path.
The free event takes place on 8 October at Manor Farm, Sutton Mandeville, Wiltshire SP3 5NL, and lunch will be provided.
All are welcome, whether they’re running their own sheep farming business, taking more responsibility on the family farm, just starting out, or hoping to begin their own flock one day.
The event will be hosted by farmer Tim White who will take visitors on a farm tour as part of the day’s activities.
Mr White has built up a thriving business with no family farm behind him and now runs a flock of Exlana sheep on rented ground over a 100-mile radius.
Other speakers include 25-year-old Marie Prebble, NSA South East Committee Member and highly successful NSA Young Shepherd of the Year competitor.
She will be sharing her experiences of running a sheep enterprise on a tenanted farm near Canterbury, Kent.
Nuffield scholars Catherine Nakielny and Rob Hodgkins will also be talking about their travels abroad, looking at groundbreaking sheep-breeding techniques in other major sheep producing nations.
At the event, the NSA will reveal future plans for NSA Next Generation, the organisation’s project dedicated to young people in the sector, signposting them to opportunities and information and providing guidance and personal/business development.
The event is free to attend – simply register in advance.
For more on how to get into farming see our Young Farmers page