Cheerleading, rugby and debates - it must be young famers (From Dorset Echo)

Thousands of young farmers are heading for Weymouth

12:25pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By James Tourgout

THOUSANDS of young farmers from the south west are heading to Weymouth this weekend for their annual meeting.

More than 2,000 members from the South West Area Young Farmers’ Clubs will gather in the Pavilion to take part in competitions and debate the future of farming.

The event, which is supported by Mole Valley Farmers, includes a rural affairs forum called Forward Thinking Farmers today with panellists will debating what the future holds for young farmers and whether it is a good time to be involved in farming.

Panellists include David Fursdon, chairman of the industry-led Future of Farming Review, Peter Winstone, Mole Valley Farmers director, Russell Carrington, a young farmer from Hereford YFC, and Dorchester’s John Hoskin, farmer of the year.

Throughout the weekend, young farmers from six counties across the south west area will compete in competitions ranging from junior and senior Member of the Year and after dinner speaking to ballroom dancing, rugby and cheerleading. Other events include ten pin bowling, fun sand castle building, five a side football, netball and drama.

The winners from the competitions will go through to compete at the national finals in May at the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs Annual Convention in Blackpool.

County Organiser Nick Creasy said: “It is a great weekend where all our counties get together to compete and have a good time. “The rural affairs forum is set to be an exciting debate involving some distinguished panellists from the agricultural sector.

“We are delighted that Mole Valley Farmers is supporting the event for the fifth year running. “We have a great partnership with them and their support really helps us to deliver a successful event to more than 2,000 young farmers.”