Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs

Young Farmers’ Clubs across England and Wales have pledged their support for a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to cut the high number of deaths each year from unnecessary farming accidents.

Working in agriculture remains one of the most dangerous ways to make a living. It accounts for around one in five work-related deaths every year, although only 1.5 per cent of the working population is employed in the sector. Across Great Britain, 38 workers lost their lives in farming-related incidents between January and November 2009 and figures for 2008/09 show that 589 people were seriously injured in farming accidents.

Nearly 15,000 farmers have already signed up to the campaign. And NFYFC Vice Chairman James Chapman, who lost his arm in an accident that could have also cost him his life, is calling on all 23,000 YFC members to make a New Year’s resolution to help cut the annual death toll by pledging to come home safe from the fields.

“The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs has proudly made the promise, to come home safe. Encouraging farmers to work safely has always been one of our key priorities and during 2010 we will be working closely with the HSE to promote the campaign in our clubs across the country.

“I know only too well what can happen when safety isn’t put first. I lost my left arm when it was caught in an unguarded PTO shaft. It happened because I, like many farmers, was working under pressure trying to get a job done as quickly as possible.

“Today I regularly speak to young farmers, using my experience positively as a warning of how important it is that they take the time to consider their safety and what can happen if they don’t,” said James.

Learn more about the Make the Promise campaign and pledge to come home safe at www.nfyfc.org.uk/promise

Make Your Opinions Count

Housing in Rural Areas Survey

NFYFC and English Rural Housing Association are inviting YFC members to share their concerns and experience about housing in rural areas. A survey aimed at finding out members’ views on rural housing has been launched at the NFYFC’s Chairman’s Reception during the Royal Show. Chairman of NFYFC Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Doug Jackson, looks forward to using the results to good effect. The survey will help to add to on-going research and determine any barriers to young people entering and staying in the farming industry as well as helping members who want to live and work in a rural area. You can either do the survey online or download a Word document to fill in. Thank you.

Year of Food and Farming

Despite the wet start to the day, Staffordshire Young Farmers’ spirits were not dampened as they welcomed school children from North Staffordshire to a day to remember on Hill Chorlton Farm, Baldwins Gate and a chance to meet farmer John Lomax on 25th June. The emphasis for the day was about everyday food that the children eat and what processes it goes through from the “field to fork.”

The schoolchildren came out for the day from Silverdale Primary School, Newcastle and The Valley County Primary School, Oakamoor near Cheadle. They saw cows being milked in the milking parlour – and learned where their milk from the supermarket starts life. They had a chance to look at a tractor and plough; watch sheep shearing; meet ‘Fran’ the friendly cow and try to milk her; bottle fed a day old calf; visit a pets corner with chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs; and have a go at the guessing the eggs.

See some photos here.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

NFYFC is now an operating body for the Award, which means that members can apply to take part in the Award, direct to NFYFC. For any further information please look at the NFYFC Website www.nfyfc.org.uk where you will find an Application Form, or contact NFYFC on 0247 685 7220 or email post@nfyfc.org.uk

Mobile Phone Recycling

Raise funds for the Federation by recycling your old phones - envelopes available from the County Office.

The Day The Queen Met Staffordshire YFC

The Queen visited Staffordshire on March 31st 2006 to mark the 800th anniversary of Staffordshire County. As part of her day, she came to the County Showground to meet various people and groups, which included representatives of Staffordshire YFC. There is a full report and pictures here.