NFU Education once again participated in LAMMA which took place between 15 – 16 January.
Building on the success of previous years, this initiative aims to introduce schoolchildren from urban areas to the agricultural industry, highlighting the diverse career opportunities available within the sector with exciting, state-of-the-art technology on show.
In collaboration with event organisers Agriconnect and with sponsorship from AGCO, NFU Education guided more than thirty Year 9 students from the centre of Birmingham through the exhibition.
The day involved the AGCO UK & Ireland Aftersales Training Team delivering a series of short micro-teach sessions on the subject of basic vehicle electrics.
The students engaged in interactive workshops and explored the event further through a scavenger hunt with support from NFU Farmers for Schools Ambassadors. These experiences are designed to provide insights into modern farming practices and the latest technological advancements in agriculture.
Reconnecting young people to farming
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said: “Many young people, especially those from urban areas, are disconnected from farming and food production.
“Introducing young people from wide and diverse backgrounds to the agricultural industry is vital for its future sustainability.”
One student said that she “really enjoyed” the experience and that she “learnt so much about agriculture”.
“I think I’ll go home and think about my future.”
“Introducing young people from wide and diverse backgrounds to the agricultural industry is vital for its future sustainability.”
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
One teacher said: “Today has been absolutely fantastic. The kids have got so much out of it.”
She hopes to return with another school group next year.
The NFU Vice President added: “Events like LAMMA provide the perfect platform to spark curiosity and encourage students to see farming not just as a job, but as a fulfilling and essential industry that feeds the nation and cares for the environment.
“By engaging with these students now, we can plant the seeds for a future workforce that is passionate and well-informed about the challenges and rewards of agriculture, and who understand and value the role of farming in their lives.”
Opportunities in agriculture for all
The farming sector offers an incredible diversity of opportunities, from engineering and science to environmental management and food production.
Rachel added: “By showcasing the innovation, technology, and dedication that underpin modern farming practices, we hope to bridge that gap and inspire the next generation to consider careers in agriculture.”
Agriconnect Marketing Manager Sophie Jackson-Holgate said they were “thrilled” to have students attend for a second year running.
Ms Jackson-Holgate went on to say: “LAMMA is a fantastic place for students from a non-ag background to come and learn about agriculture and the exciting career and learning opportunities available in the industry.”
AGCO Ltd. Aftersales Training Business Development Manager Ash Briggs thanked both the NFU and Farmers Guardian for the opportunity “to showcase some of the technology and diagnostic processes used by our dealer technicians to trace and repair vehicle electrical faults”.
Mr Briggs added: “Although the AGCO Apprenticeship Scheme has been enormously successful in recent years, we strongly believe that anything we can do to encourage the next generation of agricultural engineers is vital to the future success of our sector.”
