Young farmers pledge floods clean-up mission

Young Farmers’ Clubs across England and Wales have raised more than £25,000 in forage and cash donations to help flood-hit famers in Somerset.
And now they are promising to help clean up the county when water levels drop.
Eager to support the farming community, young farmers’ clubs have been hosting fundraising events, organising forage aid collections and offering support on the ground in Somerset .
The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) is now hoping to work with organisers in Somerset to arrange for YFCs to be involved in a national clean-up campaign when the water has cleared.
NFYFC’s national chairman of council Claire Worden said: “It’s inspiring to see the next generation of farmers pulling together to support the industry.
“It is devastating to see the impact the floods have had on people’s livelihoods, especially in Somerset.
“Our clubs are uniting to show their support and we hope to help organise a national clean-up mission once the water levels have eventually receded.”
Clubs quickly got together to help when they heard how flooded farmers urgently needed forage, hay, straw and bedding.
Somerset Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (FYFC) have helped move cattle, fill sandbags and are now actively fundraising to help their local communities.
A major YFC forage aid operation in Essex saw members taking donations from local farms and in the last two weeks they have collected around 400t of forage to send to Somerset.
Essex is not the only county to get behind the crisis as clubs and counties across England and Wales have started up similar schemes.
Many clubs have also already agreed to help out with a national clean-up operation and are still collecting forage as it will be needed for a long time to come.
Any clubs or counties interested in helping out with the clean-up mission should contact the NFYFC team using the email floodhelp@nfyfc.org.uk.
See also Flood-hit farmers – how you can help