Retailer Co-op has launched its second 'Farming Pioneers Group', a training programme for young farmers first launched in April 2016.
Co-op Farming Pioneers was created with the aim of developing 60 of the agricultural industry’s future leaders over a period of two years, equipping participants with knowledge and business skills.
2017's new group of 20 delegates, who hail from farming communities all over the United Kingdom, were subject to a rigorous selection process in order to earn their place.
Aged between 21 and 35 years old, they all currently work in a farming business that is a long-term supply partner to the Co-op.
'Young farming talent'
Ciara Gorst, the Co-op’s head of agriculture, said: "For these young people, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where they’ll have a chance to learn from some of the agriculture industry’s leading lights, share their experiences and adopt these principles in the businesses they have a stake in.
"They will be exposed to some high profile challenging situations and we look forward to seeing the new group gain the range of new skills and build the contacts which will last throughout their careers, just as those in the first group are doing."
The Co-op Farming Pioneers programme is part of a long-term commitment to support British agriculture, and an important part in developing relationships with its farming supply base.
Miss Gorst continued: "We know participants gain huge insight into the business skills needed to compete on a world market and will complete the programme with a greater understanding of the whole supply chain and its relationship to value creation."
'Keen to get involved'
David Masters, a dairy farmer from Wincanton in Somerset, who was one of the Co-op’s original 2016 pioneers, explains why he applied to take part in the programme: "I was keen to get involved as I wanted to get a better understanding of how the Co-op worked, what influenced its buying decisions and gain an insight into the direction they want farmers to go in the future," he explains.
Meanwhile, fellow 2016 participant, Neil Kidd, who farms in Lancashire, has taken a lot from the training modules completed so far.
He said: "We recently visited a large beef enterprise and I was struck by the grasp and understanding they had on costs throughout the business.
"They were also taking the time to talk to the abattoir about what cuts the customer wanted and crucially acting to supply them."
