Sat on the panel were Bizza Walters, previously an NFU Student and Young Farmer ambassador, and Will Roobottom, a young sheep farmer and previous finalist for the BFA digital innovator of the year. Alongside managing their own flocks of sheep, both panellists work separate day jobs related to the industry, meaning packed schedules and long days, but most importantly, an overwhelming love for farming.
“Young farmers have to have another source of income to fund it, particularly those starting out on their own,” Bizza explained, adding that diversification was already key to business survival in the industry. Talking on the future of farming, Will was confident that “efficiency and technology will be really important”, and that the younger generation are very lucky to be coming into the industry with “the scope to use, change and adapt agri-tech”.
Social media
While discussing farming and what inspires them to maintain such a busy lifestyle, Bizza spoke about the differences that every day brings, despite “every morning, evening and weekend being spent with the animals”.
While Will is inspired by the “tangibility of farming”, and the feeling that you’ve achieved something at the end of every day. However, the pair both agreed a need for authenticity and “showing the bad as well as the good,” particularly to their wide social media following.
“The hardest thing is starting, just give it a go."
Will Roobottom
After starting up their social media platforms with the idea of sharing their adventures and experiences, they have both grown their channels to a respectable sized audience. They continue to use their growing channels to meet people, share advice and information, but also as a “free marketing tool”, with Bizza remarking that she has gained new customers from the platform.
The discussion quickly moved to another important role of social media, in its ability to connect and reassure people in an otherwise very isolated job, with both agreeing they were lucky to be part of the younger generation growing up with this available to them.
Inspiring others
Closing the session, Bizza and Will were asked what they would say to other young people considering entering the farming industry.
Bizza reflected on her own experiences entering the industry on her own, despite being from a farming family, and ended by saying “whether you’re from a farming background or not, you can do it and put your stamp on it”.
Will agreed with this, explaining how he started off with only six sheep, and added that “the hardest thing is starting, just give it a go”.
You can follow Bizza on instagram at: @bizza.walters and you can follow Will on YouTube at: @CowleyHillFarm
