ELEVEN farmers have successfully joined the Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme.

The newly-appointed NFU ambassadors beat more than 130 applicants to represent the future generation of farmers over the next 12 months.

“We were delighted with the first year of our Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme,” NFU president Minette Batters.

“Those taking part played a vital role in helping us tell the incredible story of British farming at public events, in magazines and across national, regional and trade media and on social media.

“This new group of ambassadors will be representing British farming at a unique and critical point in time for our industry.”

The NFU’s Student & Young Farmer ambassadors for 2021 include Matthew Rollason and Joe Bramwell, from the North West, Cameron Knee, from the North East, Josie Troop and Katie Smith, from the Midlands, Harriet Bartlett and Eveey Hunter, from East Anglia, Zoe Legg and Karl Franklin, from South West, and Nia Borsey and Lauren David, from Wales.

“From the start of 2021, UK agriculture is going to be finding its feet in a new world outside of the EU,” said Minette.

“We will need this next generation of farmers to be advocates, representing a bright and progressive future for farming.

“It’s great to see these young people already making their mark in the farming industry and reaching out to different audiences to share our Back British Farming message.

“The programme aims to give them a fantastic opportunity to amplify their voice and I can’t wait to start working with them.”