Applications open for the 2025 Fresh AF programme
A Fresh AF visit to Wildfarmed © AF Group The AF Group has opened applications for Fresh AF, a year-long programme designed to help 20 young farming professionals expand their knowledge and career opportunities in agriculture.
Fresh AF aims to do this by providing access to learning experiences, exclusive industry insights, and networking opportunities.
Through a series of events, participants engage with businesses and experts, exploring topics such as procurement, co-operatives and the wider agricultural supply chain.
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Alex Robinson, chief marketing and membership officer at AF, said: “Getting a boost or a leg up early on in your career can be defining, it’s even more important now in the current climate.
“There is such a breadth of professions in agriculture, the programme gives people greater exposure to new opportunities and new ways of working that could be open to them in future careers.”
The programme, which is free to join, is sponsored by a range of suppliers including Timac Agro UK, Bayer, BASF, Nufarm UK, and Origin Soil Nutrition.
Fresh AF participants take part in study tours, and visits to businesses such as Wildfarmed and Timac Agro in France, and attend key events across the UK.
Next generation
Louise Davy, an agronomist from Suffolk and a participant in last year’s cohort, said: “It was fascinating to see all different aspects of farming.
“Farming can be quite a lonely job, and this opportunity allowed me to create a network.”
She noted that the businesses they visited were eager to engage the next generation in agriculture.
“Ag has always been about ‘we’ve done this for years’, but this experience allowed me to see things from a fresh perspective.
“The relationships I’ve built will definitely help me in my career.”
Applications for the 2025 programme close at the end of January.
Interested candidates can apply by emailing freshaf@af.farm with a cover letter detailing why they would benefit from the programme.