Meet our Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors for 2024

01 December 2023

Student and young farmer ambassadors 2024 cohort

Eleven farmers have been named as the NFU’s new Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors, beating stiff competition from more than 50 applicants vying for the coveted posts.

At a time when food supply chains and food security are challenged, and while financial support for farming is undergoing huge structural change, the new ambassadors will play a vital role representing the voice of the next generation at a crucial time in agriculture.

Our new ambassadors

Ben Chilman

NFU Poultry Industry Programme 2024/25, free range producer, Wales

Having met many previous graduates of the PIP, I am always impressed at how highly they speak of the course.

With many crediting the opportunities and supply chain insights gained, coupled with the chance to meet other young people from within the industry, the experiences they have shared have been a major reason for my application.

Initially, at a younger age, I admit poultry was not a natural passion of mine, but over time it is something I have become increasingly passionate about, and therefore am always keen to keep furthering my knowledge of both the free-range egg industry and the wider poultry sector.

Edward Harrison

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, North

Growing up and working on his family dairy farm in North Cumbria gave Edward a passion for agriculture.

Since leaving the family farm, Edward has set up his own small regenerative farm alongside his wife where they specialise in rare and native breeds. Edward is looking forward to embracing all the opportunities the programme has to offer and meeting likeminded people.

Hannah Benson

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, Midlands

Hannah runs her own British Cut Flower business which is a diversification from the family’s small vegetable farm based in Lincolnshire.

She cuts, packs and supplies wholesale markets, florists, and the public.

Hannah is really looking forward to promoting the British cut flower industry as well as production horticulture and educating the next generation about a career in the sector during her time as an ambassador.

James Scott

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, North

James has just started up a new dairy farm this year. He is passionate about showcasing British Farming and what he gets up to on the farm.

James hopes to meet lots of new people who he can relate to and learn from, to help promote British farming.

Jessica Stewart

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, North

Jessica is a solicitor at a rural practice, from a mixed family farm in County Durham.

Jessica sells meat from her farm's Belted Galloways directly to the consumer and is chair of her local Young Farmers Club.

She is looking forward to having the opportunity and platform to increase the awareness of current agricultural issues to both farmers and the general public.

Jon Watt

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, East

Jon grew up farming but pursued a career as a racing driver. In 2020, he returned home to grow the business and has since tenanted and contract farmed land.

Jon is excited to take part in the NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador programme to meet new people and learn as much as possible from the farm visits and shows.

Magnus Brown

Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, Midlands

Growing up working on the family dairy farm in Staffordshire, Magnus is currently in his final year studying Law at the University of Birmingham and hopes to qualify as an agricultural solicitor in the future. 

Magnus endeavours to champion British farming whilst meeting like-minded people and scrutinizing industry decision makers.

Molly Mead

Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, East

Molly lives on her family’s livestock and arable farm in Hertfordshire, whilst working as a farm vet technician and TB tester. 

She is looking forward to increasing awareness of neurodiversity in the farming community, as well as advocating for improved government strategies to deal with Bovine TB and farmer communication.

Naomi Williams-Roberts

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, NFU Cymru

Born with a passion for animals, it was no surprise that Naomi gravitated towards farming.

Hailing from the valleys, a self-proclaimed late comer, it wasn’t obvious she was ‘allowed’ to join the industry however after joining YFC her feet are firmly under the table. Establishing her farm in 2018 with her partner, Naomi hopes to help others realise their farming dreams can come true!

Sian Grove

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, South

Sian is a first-generation Shepherdess from the Isle of Wight. She began her farming career through her local young farmers club, and now has her own flock of sheep. 

Sian is looking forward to learning more about UK agriculture, networking, and meeting likeminded young farmers.

Sophia Ashe

NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, South

Sophia feels passionately about standing up for farmers and hopes to gain a greater insight into politics through the programme and meeting people along the way!

Not from a farming background, Sophia stumbled into the world of farming. She went to the Royal Agricultural University and has worked on various different farms to gain experience.

Never more important

Welcoming our new ambassadors, NFU President Minette Batters said: “Huge congratulations to the successful ambassadors who are taking part in this year’s programme.

“It is absolutely fantastic to have such a vibrant and enthusiastic group of people wanting to work with the NFU and tell our positive farming story to the public, opinion formers and politicians, locally and nationally.

“We have a fantastic range of agricultural roles represented by this cohort and it is remarkable to see how much they have all already achieved."

NFU President Minette Batters

“Farming is undergoing huge change, from the complete transition in farming support payments underway and inflationary costs of production impacting farm businesses to the impacts of climate change and more regular adverse weather events, it’s arguably never been a more important time to be able to tell the positive story of British agriculture and showcase the massive show of support we are so fortunate to have from the public.

“We have a fantastic range of regions and agricultural roles represented by this cohort and it is remarkable to see how much they have all already achieved. I can’t wait to see what what impact they have in the coming year.”


Ask us a question about this page

Once you have submitted your query someone from NFU CallFirst will contact you. If needed, your query will then be passed to the appropriate NFU policy team.

You have 0 characters remaining.

By completing the form with your details on this page, you are agreeing to have this information sent to the NFU for the purposes of contacting you regarding your enquiry. Please take time to read the NFU’s Privacy Policy if you require further information.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.