Shropshire Young Farmers' celebrate 80 years
Shropshire Young Farmers' Club is marking a momentous 80 years of community spirit, agricultural excellence and personal development.
Founded in 1944, the organisation has played a pivotal role in nurturing young talent in the County’s rural areas.
Young Farmers is made up of members aged 10 to 28, where the organisation provides a unique opportunity to develop skills, work with local communities, travel abroad and take part in numerous competitions and enjoy a dynamic social life.
"The more you put into YFC the more you get out!" said president Millie Preece.
"Throughout the calendar there are numerous events including our County Rally and Shropshire Show where clubs compete from across the county."
The organisation has survived and adapted through many challenges, such as the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, which saw a restriction on certain events.
In 2013-2014, Shropshire members took forage to help farmers in the Somerset levels who suffered severe flooding. More recently the organisation adapted to the pandemic, which stopped all in person socials and competitions, instead we held zoom talks and zoom competitions.
In 2017, Shropshire Young Farmers was awarded the Queens Voluntary Award, where Rebecca Green (County Chair 2017) and Edward Potter (County Chair 2016) travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive the award.
Sir Algernon Heber-Percy, Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire attended the Chairman’s Charity concert to present the award to the federation.
Among the highlights this year has been the chairman's ball which has a Shrek theme and Lucy Maginness, Shropshire Chairman's Ball Secretary 2024, said: "We had young farmers travelling far and wide for our annual ball! We even had a New Zealander and an Australian join us!
"We’re so proud that our annual chairman's ball is one of the biggest young farmers balls in the country and it's great to get Shropshire on the map!"
Reflecting on the anniversary, Millie added: "Throughout the 80 years the county and each individual club have raised numerous amounts for other charities.
"In the past ten years, the clubs and county have raised more than £100,000.
"This year, outgoing County Chair Max Porter, raised nearly £4,000 from his illuminated tractor run around Shrewsbury and a further £2,000 for his bed push, pushing a bed from Whitchurch to Ludlow over two days raising money for Alzheimer’s UK and Sepsis.
"To this day YFC provides a social hub and network for young people in the rural area, as well as building skills through competitions, making friends for life and making the most out of a fantastic organisation that gives the members so much! Here’s to the next 80 years of Shropshire YFC."
