Secretary's Report
by Catherine Sherwood

Another busy year that has whistled by! Never a dull moment!

The early part of the year was spent getting our 'wonderful' new database set up. That was fine, getting it to actually work was another! What should have been a simple procedure ended up like drawing teeth - that's technology for you! Anyway, after several visits from people who ' knew how to do it' and a couple of fraught months, it was operational. So life should be more paper free in terms of membership forms etc.

Apart from the general commitment and enthusiasm of young farmers and their leaders at various events and training days, a couple of highlights stick out for this year.

The first was in assisting one Kent young farmer with her application for the Discovery programme, which resulted in her gaining a six week placement in Zambia. Hopefully, her report is included in the AGM material, but she obviously spent a thoroughly fulfilling time in Africa, and hopes to return there later this year. She is also willing to come and do a talk at one of our meetings at some point during the year. So come on everyone, the Discovery 2006 programme is out and you too can apply!

The other interesting project started with a call from Helen Moore at National, who used to run the Discovery programme. She was off to Serbia with United Nations to help them generate interest in developing school young farmers clubs and since Kent had a high percentage of school clubs, could we help in providing information?

Well, yes we could, so I went round to Oldborough Manor and chatted to Lorraine and Mike about their day to day routines, their club programme, how the children felt about being in the club etc. and what benefits they derived from it ( meanwhile taking notes as I went!) Then I trotted off to Angley School and got a report from them also, typed them all up and sent them to Helen, along with some press cuttings and the Living Land programme, who duly took them out to Serbia, and this is what she reported back…….

'Many thanks for your help and assistance. I have returned safely from Serbia, and survived the 10 day return study tour. It was an incredible opportunity, the raw enthusiasm of the youngsters was really exciting. They live in very remote mountainous areas with very little in the way of opportunity out side of school or work. The concept of YFC was really well received, and the open floor sessions resulted in very constructive ideas for competitions, community projects, training courses and social events. The idea of speakers at meetings didn't really register with them! However I think the clubs stand a really good chance of getting off the ground as the whole community seems to be behind the development, and once we got going every one started to offer their services/skills.

We had a first meeting whilst I was there, we had a pie making competition, handicraft display, sponsorship by the local dairy, the headmaster at the school lent a corridor for the event , and allowed the school sound equipment to be used for a disco afterwards. The "club leader" reckoned it was the first time so many different ages in the community had come together for a social event in his memory. My pie wasn't up to a lot but I had a go!

It really will be a case of creating their own entertainment, eg music evenings, quizzes, sports, public speaking etc but they said that even meeting together to chat was better than sitting at home on their own. It certainly made me stop and think about how materialistic we have become. The UN team are trying to get funding for a further 12 months from Christmas to really follow the early stages through and to train the equivalent of a county organiser to take on their role once they move on.

On the return study tour, the UNFAO team were amazed at the high standards reached at competitions day, and it certainly gave them something to aim at. They also attended a club officer training session, a club meeting and a harvest supper, as well as receiving briefings from NFYFC staff on their roles. Other visits included NFU, cattle breed society, trip to market, farm walks, FACE, farm diversifications, horticultural enterprises to name but some of the activities.

It was a pleasure to represent NFYFC on such a trip and I hope that the return visit has also helped to improve the NFYFC profile with the organisations involved.

Once again thanks for your input, it has been put to good use.'

So, Kent's unique approach can be adopted abroad!

We have also had several enquiries from European countries about exchanges, and it is something that would be wonderful to get involved with when time allows for 'vetting' exchange locations and of course, the endless reams of paperwork that surround any organization that focuses on young people. But one day we'll get there!

A good year has been had, and I am looking forward in 2006 to a variety of different activities to be offered to our members, increased membership, as we still hover at around 550 at present, a re-vamp on some of the material we produce i.e notes and reminders! And lots of fun on the way!

And keep sending in club information about all the things that you get up to - ten26 is always looking for material!

Catharine Sherwood
Young Farmers County Secretary

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