Debating The Future of Farming from a Younger Perspective
Next generation of farmers to discuss industry challenges in a live debate as part of Borderway Agri Expo’s seminar programme.
Harrison & Hetherington, organiser of Borderway Agri Expo, has today announced that a series of seminars will return for the second year, following their inaugural success at last year’s event. The second seminar on the day will be a ‘live debate’ exploring the common themes and challenges faced by our next generation within the agricultural industry today.
Chaired by Sue Howorth and Dave Clarkson, Co-Directors of The Family Business Community, the debate will take place at the event on Friday 28th October at 12:30pm in the Seminar Ring, hosted by H&H Land & Estates. The panel will feature individuals from the Farmstock Futures programme, which was launched by the H&H Group and the Family Business Community to give the next generation a voice and platform to network and gain industry knowledge from several sectors of the agricultural industry, not just farming.
Commenting ahead of the seminar, Sue Howorth said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together young people who are all paving a career for themselves within the industry. With so much uncertainty, it will be interesting to hear their views on the challenges the next generation face and how we can pull together to tackle these.”
Georgia Hunter is one of the speakers who, alongside her parents, runs a dairy goat farm in Ravenstonedale, Cumbria. Georgia has a lifelong passion for agriculture and has always been intrigued by welcoming new and different ways into the industry.
At 18 years old, Georgia launched her own business selling meat with the help of the Princes Trust and Farmer Network. A graduate of Newton Rigg College, she returned to the family farm with visions of diversifying in order to drive the business forward and protect it from crucial payment cuts.
Another speaker is Richard Bostock, a Key Account Manager for Genus ABS, who supports farmers maximise profit from genetic progress. Passionate about the future of the dairy industry, Richard is always looking at how we can make agriculture in general the people magnet it needs to be in order for it to remain viable.
From a Dairy farming background Richard owns some pedigree cattle under the BlackLabel Holstein prefix and Littlestar Jersey prefix both in the UK and also in Switzerland with his partners.
On announcing details of this live debate, Richard Rankin, CEO for the H&H Group, said: “Farming is changing, and the future is uncertain. This puts a lot of pressure onto the next generation as they look at how they can meet the challenges of a volatile landscape and maintain sustainability within the industry.
“I am looking forward to hearing what our panel of fantastic young people have to say and hear their thoughts on the future of the Agri industry. I am certain it will bring about an interesting debate and encourage people to think about the direction they take their businesses in going forward.”
Borderway Agri Expo is one of the UK’s largest events dedicated to the beef and sheep industries. Taking place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday 28th October, the event has a fantastic programme as well as livestock classes and a plethora of trade and breed society stands.