Being a young farmer is more than just wellies and tractors

Melton Mowbray Young Farmers Club (MMYFC) says that the cliche that Young Farmers’ Clubs are only for people from farming backgrounds is far from the truth.

Club secretary Olivia Parry said: “You absolutely do not have to be a farmer to be a young farmer you just need to be a young person between the ages of 10 -26 who is up for giving things ago, getting their hands dirty at times and making new friends.

“It is difficult at times to make people see that it isn’t just a farming club but as you begin to explain all the things we do people soon realise that quite a bit has very little to do with farming.

“As one of the 11 clubs in the county MMYFC are seeking new members to join the club to take part in a wide range of its own and county activities including drama competitions, public speaking, county rally, handicrafts, sports and more.”

When MMYFC are not turning their hands to organising social events or sport, charity is always at the top of its agenda, including this year raising £500 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, £630 for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and £1,100 for The Injured Jockeys Fund.

Olivia added: “Everyone is welcome to the club with meetings varying from falconry to pancake making, go karting to indoor skiing, creepy crawly road shows and farm tours. We create our clubs programme for the year based on the club members preferences.

“The next event we have coming up is our hog roast which takes place on Saturday. After that our calendar quietens down as those who are involved in farming get busier with harvest.”

The club meet on a Tuesday at Scalford Village Hall at 7pm.

For more information on joining MMYFC, email Olivia on [email protected] or call 07879475208.