Next generation of farmers and growers join TIAH at House of Lords

The group of 30 young people – from NFU’s Next Generation Forum, the National Federation of Young Farmers, and the Oxford Farming Conference’s Inspire programme (sponsored by TIAH) were guests at an event held to update parliamentarians and industry on TIAH’s progress as we prepare to launch our membership services next year.

The event was sponsored by Lord Donald Curry of Kirkharle, TIAH’s founding patron and Chair of its industry consultation group.

Lord Curry explained: “One of TIAH’s key focus areas is to support professional development, so we wanted to ensure that the group, who represent the next generation of farming and growing, had an opportunity to discuss TIAH and to build their networks by meeting a range of individuals from the worlds of policy, agriculture and horticulture. They and their peers are the future of agriculture and horticulture, and we want to support them in developing a wide range of skills and knowledge to seize the opportunities ahead.”

TIAH’s Chair David Fursdon added: “I was particularly impressed to meet so many younger farmers and growers and to understand how TIAH can help them run their businesses in the future. Having a way of demonstrating their skills is high on their agenda, as is a one-stop shop for their learning and professional development – TIAH will offer both.”

TIAH’s support will be delivered through its Online Service, culminating in more than three years of user research and testing with farmers and growers. The service will give users personalised information on skills, careers, training, and professional development.

We have recruited 150 volunteer ‘Cultivators’ who are trialling the various elements of the Online Service, helping ensure it's intuitive, easy to use, and meets its users’ needs.

Surrey dairy farmer Jo Ranson spoke at today’s event about her experience as a TIAH Cultivator.

She said: “The team at TIAH has made taking part so easy, fitting around us as busy farmers, and have completely understood what we're looking for.  Farming is changing fast, with all sectors in desperate need of finding and keeping staff.  Having two sons also involved in agriculture, I'm passionate that farming doesn’t get forgotten for the younger generation.  To them, it can look incredibly daunting, so any help that can be given to them that's available 24 hours a day can only be a good thing. Having looked at the Online Service that'll be available to them, which I think is amazing.  I'll be encouraging as many people to join TIAH as I can.”

Another guest was Eveey Hunter, Chair of the NFU Next Generation Forum. Eveey said: “The forum has been following TIAH since the beginning, and it was great to be invited today and learn about the progress to date. TIAH’s planned signposting for new entrants is encouraging, considering the work our forum has done with new entrants over the last couple of years. A number of our members are TIAH Cultivators, so we're actively involved in TIAH’s development. We would encourage others to get involved in this exciting collaborative opportunity.”

The event also featured an address by Minister Spencer, who said of TIAH: “I’m delighted that this project is getting off the ground. I hope it gets a huge amount of support, and I’m buoyed by the young farmers I met and their enthusiasm for the industry. Together, we’ll continue to feed the world, improve the environment, and deliver biodiversity.”