Ernie Richards
I firstly want to send my sincere thanks and acknowledgement to the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, and Worshipful company of Farmers, for facilitating and sponsoring my place as an OFC scholar.
I am extremely thankful to have been awarded a place to attend the OFC. The whole conference programme was filled with fascinating speakers, workshops and chances to network with so many likeminded, forward-thinking industry representatives.
Farmers part of the solution
Ernie Richards
Brecon & Radnor
I've always had a passion for agriculture, and have taken full advantage of any opportunities that have come my way. To gain as much information as possible, I studied BSc Agriculture with Animal Science at Aberystwyth University, and in recent years I have undertaken a variety of industry courses to increase my skills, in which I have been recognised recently by winning the Farming Connect Young Learner of Year at the Lantra Wales Awards.
I am always keen to help promote agriculture by educating the younger generation, and be part of discussion groups to move our industry forward.
Parts of the conference focused on safeguarding our future to ensure the environment is secured so that future generations are not paying the price for the climate crisis. However, it proved to me that farmers are certainly part of the solution, by enhancing the land and working with the environment to produce food.
As we all have seen in recent years, food security has been highlighted through a pandemic, a war, and the climate crisis. It’s becoming all too apparent that farmers are needed more than ever to ensure quality, local and well grown food is available.
Working together
With climate and financial pressures publicly, it seems all food is short, however, in the UK we can produce sustainable quality food, of which all in good supply. During the conference it was pleasing to hear how many organisations are working together in order to promote how a balanced diet is crucial for the younger generations and how innovative practices are enhancing the ways we produce food sustainably.
Even though my whole conference experience was brilliant, my key highlights from the event were:
The OFC Honorary President – HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne. A true supporter of farming, she gave a sensible outlook for the future whilst giving clear objectives we should all aspire too by enhancing the environment, but not forgetting we all need food.
Making farming attractive
Salih Hodzhov, a Bulgarian born farmer who started his life in the UK as a deprived fruit picker who is now the Production Director on a 750-acre fruit farm in Kent. Salih said that ‘you're only as big as your dreams’ and stressed that ‘we must make farming attractive to young people’.
And finally, Samantha Kinghorn a Paralympian who suffered a farming accident told her inspiring story of succeeding after adversity and inspired us all by saying ‘life can be long, but it can also be short. So why do something you don't love’.
Vision for the future
The conference clearly demonstrated to me the outlook for British agriculture is so positive, especially with so many motivated young people coming into the industry. But I feel to future proof our industry we need to have vision for the future, we should communicate our story, and we all must work collaboratively in order to make sustainable livelihoods whilst feeding the expanding diverse population.
The #OFC2023 undoubtedly lived up to its mantra to 'Inform, Inspire and Challenge' this year - making us all consider how we can farm for the next generation.
Bryony Gittins
I was recently lucky enough to attend the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC). To start off I attended an Inspire programme (of which I am a member along with 17 other likeminded people) gathering, which gave us a chance to take stock and take a deep breath before we jumped headfirst into the conference programme.
All I can say is WOW. Well done OFC23. I found every session informative, interesting and relevant. I enjoyed the diversity of speakers, the topics were so easily relatable and the pace kept us awake and eager for more.
'Ecocide'
One of my highlights was listening to JoJo Mehta (Stop Ecocide International) talk about ‘ecocide’.
Bryony Gittins
Monmouthshire
Determined to follow in her father’s footsteps as he relinquishes the responsibility and day-to-day work on the upland farm, Bryony is steadily building up her knowledge, experience and expertise in the farming industry and strives to improve her flock health, build business value and increase profitability.
She has expanded into various tourism diversification, is exploring renewable energy and environmental schemes and plans to develop her woodland which she hopes will lead to increased biodiversity along with providing an area for further diversification options.
Proud to be a female farmer, Bryony works hard to promote diversity in the industry and raise awareness of mental health in agriculture. “My ambition is to be a role model for others, providing support and demonstrating my contribution to the industry in hope to inspire and motivate others.”
If you haven’t heard about it (I don’t think I had) – ecocide is a word used to describe what is happening to our planet, the mass destruction of the natural living world. JoJo describes how Stop Ecocide International is working on a law to make ecocide an international crime as, right now, in most of the world, no one is held responsible
On Thursday evening, was the notorious OFC Oxford Union Debate, this year themed ‘This house believes that humans will not be needed on farms in a generation’ – what a great topic. I was thrilled to see fellow Inspire member Ed Hodson and fellow NFU Cymru Next Generation Group member Katie Davies get up to speak for the opposing side – brave and fearless. Perhaps unsurprisingly the proposing side did not prevail, so here’s to the need for humans on farm and I am left wondering in anticipation of next year’s topic.
We then had an amazing dinner in none other than the Harry Potter dining hall at Christ Church College, not many people can say they’ve done that during attendance at a farming conference!
Inspiring farmers
Friday was a powerful and emotional day. It included the Inspiring Farmers session. Mary Quicke led and said ‘change is the only definite, deal with the things you can control, you have all the access to the resources you need – have the courage’. Then Salih Hodzhow told us of how he came to move from Bulgaria to Kent and now manages a large family-run soft fruit farm. We all learnt something from his story, his work ethos and passion. Finally – tissues at the ready – the awe-inspiring Sammi Kinghorn, double Paralympic medallist, who talked about succeeding after adversity when a farm accident left her paralysed and yet she found the strength and courage to pursue her dreams.
What a whirlwind of talks, chats, networking, empowerment, motivation and inspiration. What an amazing few days in a beautiful city. I feel truly proud to be in the agricultural industry. This is not just a conference for farmers – this is a conference for everyone who cares about the planet we live on, the food we eat and the people we connect with. The last thing I wrote in my notes upon being asked to reflect how we felt at the conference close are the words: ‘in awe of what’s possible’.
Katie Davies
I recently had the honour of attending the prestigious Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) along with other farmers, scholars and industry leaders.
Having waited two years to attend an in-person OFC, I can whole heartedly say that it was worth the wait. The conference was informative, engaging and inspiring, with a programme full of world class speakers, all focused on the theme of ‘Farming: a new future’.
Katie Davies
Pembrokeshire
In January 2022, Katie completed the Worshipful Company of Farmers Challenge of Rural Leadership Course, and also attended the Oxford Farming Conference as the 2022 RWAS Scholar. She is an Alumni of the Rural Leadership Agri Academy and the Tesco Future Farmer Foundation, as well as being a member of the Future Farmers of Wales and a part of the Policy Committee.
Katie has been very involved with the Young Farmers Club movement, having finished as Wales YFC Chairman in September 2021, undertaking two years in the role. She has also been a past Pembrokeshire YFC Chairman and Chairman of her club, Llysyfran. She has held numerous other roles at club, county, Wales and national levels.
She is also currently Chairman of the Pembrokeshire RABI Committee and has been actively involved with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
We had speeches from Ministers and leading industry figures, there were some incredible talks which gave us an insight into the current challenges and future opportunities in the sector. The mix of topics over the three days included dung beetles, agroforestry, succeeding after adversity, disrupting global food politics and scaling local food economies, to name a few.
Networking
Having previously attended various scholar events in 2021 / 2022, I looked forward to experiencing all the conference had to offer in person and with the conference having a strong focus on networking, making the most of meeting new people and engaging with like-minded representatives from the agricultural industry.
Some of the standout sessions for me included ‘Farmers leading the battle for soil and soul’ a ‘rant’ delivered by Sir Tim Smit, Executive Vice-Chair and Co-founder of the Eden Project. Sir Tim provided much food for thought and also some key takeaways including – ‘almost anything that’s happened of interest in history has come from rocking boats’.
The highlights
It's hard to narrow down a jam packed few days into just several highlights; however, I do have two other stand outs.
If any attendee wasn’t feeling inspired already, then they certainly were after double Paralympic Medallist Samantha Kinghorn MBE gave her address. Samantha bravely shared her story, how a farm incident changed her life forever, reminding us all of the importance to take farm safety seriously and to make the most of our lives. Her positivity and ambition for the future was infections and really ended the conference on an inspiring note.
Oxford Farming Union Debate
The Oxford Farming Union Debate is always a highlight and this year, for me personally, it was extra special. There is always time during the debate for members from the floor to comment on the motion – this year’s being ‘This House believes that humans will not be needed on farms in a generation’. I took the opportunity to put my point of view across and was awarded a prize for best contribution. To have the opportunity to speak in the infamous Oxford Union Debate was a real bucket list moment.
One of the benefits of having a hybrid conference is the ability to go back and watch the sessions again – I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to be inspired or expand their knowledge.
I would wholeheartedly recommend anybody to consider going to the conference or applying for a future sponsorship. It really is a fantastic opportunity. My thanks go to the Pembrokeshire Advisory Committee for the original nomination and to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for the sponsorship and for allowing me to attend the Oxford Farming OFC. Diolch o galon am y cyfle.