Norfolk Young Farmers celebrate a year of achievement at AGM

The Norfolk Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (YFC) gathered at the Norfolk Showground to review an eventful 12 months.

Chairman Benjamin Johnson reflected on a "dynamic" year which included notable successes at county, regional and national competitions, high-profile displays at events including the Royal Norfolk Show, and impressive fundraising efforts.

He said a particular highlight was Norfolk YFC's 80th anniversary Oak Ball, held at the Norfolk Showground in May, which was attended by 1,500 people and raised £54,000 for the club's Skills Initiative Fund, which helps pay for career-boosting training and qualifications.

Norfolk Young Farmers' Club (YFC) raised £54,000 for its Skills Initiative Fund at its 80th anniversary ball (Image: Norfolk YFC) He praised the "enthusiasm, dedication and passion" of the club's members, adding: "It has been my privilege to serve you as county chairman, even more so in our 80th anniversary year."

Mr Johnson thanked his fellow committee members and said none of Norfolk YFC's activities would have been possible without vital grants and donations from organisations including the Chadacre Agricultural Trust, Clan Trust, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, Norfolk Farmers Trust, Greens Charitable Trust and Ben Burgess

The meeting also heard that Norfolk YFC membership is still growing, as well as the number of its junior Countrysider clubs, which have continued their post-Covid revival with the recent relaunch of branches in Dereham and Downham Market, bringing the total to six.

County president Ches Broom paid tribute to the "sheer energy and enthusiasm" within all these clubs, adding: "The success of Norfolk YFC starts and ends with the members, and it is with great pride that I look back on the past three years (two as vice president) to see how far these young members and the organisation have come. If anything, the membership is stronger now than it was pre-Covid."

The Norfolk Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (Norfolk YFC) held its 80th annual meeting at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Chris Hill) The meeting saw presentations of many certificates and annual prizes, with Wymondham YFC claiming three club trophies, Downham Market YFC winning the Chairman's Cup for outstanding club achievements, and the other trophies shared by North Elmham YFC and Countrysiders, and Wymondham Countrysiders.

Guest speaker Prof Cristobal Uauy, a crop scientist from the John Innes Centre, spoke about the "revolution" in genetic technologies during the last 10 years, being led by scientists at the neighbouring Norwich Research Park.

He said Norfolk researchers were working to speed up the process of getting science breakthroughs into farmers' fields, using techniques such as gene editing to increase the resilience and health qualities of food crops.