The UK’s farming industry is calling for a crop of new talent amid food crisis

RISING food costs hit us all – but the crisis could serve up a new career path.

The UK’s farming industry is calling for a crop of new talent to help change the way we grow our grub.

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Currently, the average age of a farmer is 59 and there is concern that the agriculture sector is facing a serious skills shortage.

But with two-thirds of farmers saying the climate emergency is changing the way they farm and a further 20 per cent admitting they need new technical skills, agriculture is a career ripe for the picking by tech-savvy youngsters.

 A generations of ‘farm-fluencers’ is beginning to make country life cool, with tens of thousands following young farmers on social media, including The Red Shepherdess, Farmer Will and Girl About The Farm.

A study from the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer scheme shows seven in ten young people don’t believe they have the right skills for a job in farming, while 64 per cent of those aged 19 to 22 see a lack of people like themselves in the industry as a key barrier to entry.

Georgia Scott studied on the McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer programme while studying at Newcastle University. The 26-year-old is now an Agriculture Sustain-ability Manager at McCain Foods.

Georgia, from North Yorks, said: “Farming is so fundamental to society, and it’s a very progressive industry.

“There are loads of opportunities for young people to get involved in farming and the industry desperately needs more young people so that we can keep producing quality food in this country.

“Most people have a specific, sometimes traditional view of farming, but there are tons of different roles, from working on the ground to positions in head office and across the supply chain.”

To help break down barriers and encourage more teens and 20-somethings into the fields, McDonald’s has pledged to help 100 youngsters kickstart careers in farming and food. 

Graduates can apply for the Progressive Young Farmer scheme while the Root2Food programme will give young people from non-traditional farming backgrounds experience in the industry.

Find out more at bit.ly/3CdQ91R.

Health support

ALL workplaces have a designated first aider to help with accidents – and now thousands of firms are training employees as mental health first aiders too. 

These volunteers support colleagues’ mental health and signpost to professional support, when needed.

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With World Mental Health Day taking place on Monday, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England says “record” numbers have signed up post-pandemic.

One of them is Zoe Elmore, HR manager at logistics giant GXO. She said: “People are at the heart of the business – so their mental and physical health are of utmost importance to us, which is reflected in the strong support systems in place.”

Find out more at mhfaengland.org.

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KEEPING STAFF ONSIDE

NEXT week is National Work Life Week, with companies focusing on keeping staff by ensuring they are happy.

Elliot Wise, below, founder of limitless-mentoring.com, shares his top tips to boost staff happiness and wellbeing.

1. Pay more: There are few instances where paying more won’t increase happiness. Feeling the pinch? Try offering bonuses and commission-based rewards that also increase productivity.
2. Help staff feel fulfilled: I meet with staff one-to-one over lunch or drinks to dig into what drives them. It’s astonishing how much happier someone is working harder when it’s something they love.
3. Show your appreciation: For most people, the word “boss” means someone who moans at them. Something as simple as saying thank you can go an incredibly long way to increasing staff happiness.
4. Monday morning huddles: The equivalent to gathering your team in a big circle on the pitch and getting them fired up before a game. Share positive news and celebrate day-to-day efforts.
5. Create the right team dynamics: When I bring a new member into a team, I involve all of them in the selection process. This ensures everyone will work with like-minded people who they want to spend time with.

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