FARMER FOCUS: I love getting involved

My problem is, I just can’t say no. This, alongside my only gift in life – which is to talk (a lot) – keeps me busy with numerous visits and talks at schools, colleges, country shows, farming and conservation groups. As this goes to print, I will be in London speaking at the Farm Innovation Show about our journey into farm diversification.

I have to admit that I probably enjoy talking to school groups the most. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing the wide-eyed delight on children’s faces when they see and interact with animals for the first time. We have added a new family event on the farm for 2014, reconnecting parents and children with their food and the countryside. Our family butcher’s shop is well supported and I feel a positive shift in the air with so many farming programmes on primetime television this year.

One lad who doesn’t require any encouragement in his connection with farming is our teenage son. Like many farm boys, the highlight of his school day is coming home, jumping on the tractor and getting to work, which is useful at present with the sheds full of cattle and the ewes in the fields needing hay. Education, however, is important and we are currently in the process of visiting colleges trying to inspire him to achieve GCSEs to progress on to a level 3 agricultural course. Although we’re thrilled he is so keen to work on the family farm, with an increasing population and numerous environmental issues, our future farmers are going to need all tools available to tackle the decades ahead. A combination of invaluable knowledge passed down the generations alongside technological advances will hopefully prepare them for the challenges they face.

It’s encouraging to see the local Young Farmer’s clubs thriving and competing each year at the Royal Welsh Show. In 2015 Gwent will be the host county and I received an e-mail this morning inviting me to join the committee. With fundraising to be done and the main event showcasing local produce, I just can’t say no.

Kate Beavan farms 200ha alongside her husband Jim on one of two family farms near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. The main enterprises comprise 900 breeding ewes and 50 suckler cows. Meat is sold direct to the family’s traditional butchers shop. Kate and Jim hosted the first series of Lambing Live in 2010

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