Cereals 2023: NFU welcomes 60 students in diversity push
© NFU As part of a drive to promote greater diversity and inclusion in the agricultural sector, the NFU’s education branch hosted more than 60 students at this week’s Cereals event.
The visiting students from local secondary schools received a guided walking tour of the site, attending sessions on soil science, agricultural drones and robotics, and emerging farm machinery – including a look at New Holland’s new T6 methane-powered tractor.
See also: How farmers are helping to educate school children about agriculture
NFU president Minette Batters said: “There are many students, especially from urban areas, who have never been on a farm before or who do not know much about agriculture.
“Inviting secondary school students to attend the Cereals show is a great opportunity to open up our industry to young people from non-agricultural backgrounds and shine a spotlight on the exciting innovation and technology within the farming sector.”
Between talks, the students met former NFU student ambassador Erin McNaught and NFU crops board member Olly Harrison, who discussed his recent charity combine run from Land’s End to John o’Groats.
Ms Batters added: “It’s important to encourage young people and make agriculture fun and interesting so that as they get older, they can become more involved in the countryside and rural areas.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be able to bring these students to this event and showcase the amazing range of Stem [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] careers available within our industry.
“We hope to inspire a new generation of agricultural innovators and develop their appreciation for the exciting opportunities that await them in the farming industry.”