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
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 involved with, 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
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
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 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 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 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
Magnus endeavours to champion British farming whilst meeting like-minded people and scrutinizing industry decision makers.
Molly Mead
Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, East
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
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 looking forward to learning more about UK agriculture, networking, and meeting likeminded young farmers.
Sophia Ashe
NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, South
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.”