Future Farmer Programme

I've been at Harper Adams University SSFF this week learning about the future of farming. We had talks from Prof. John Gilliland OBE DSc and Professor Michael Lee and from industry including James Waddy (Tesco), Graham Wilkinson (Arla) and Philip Hambling (ABP) giving their view. Then an energetic demonstration of efficiency and driving change by Ben Williams followed by many technical and inspirational talks for the rest of the 2 days, not least by a recent Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust scholar Helen Wyman.

Prof. John Gilliland speaks about the journey beyond net zero

Thanks go to my old employers Tesco for their generous programme sponsorship.

Reflecting on the past two days and some growing thoughts, I have become to realise that the past 12-18 months, my life is in constant education and learning. Whether this is learning how to rear black soldier flies, run a business, apply for grant funding, or the principles of regenerative agriculture and circular economies, I haven't stopped. I'm also reading more than I ever have. The book I'm currently reading is Elon musk by Walter Isaacson. I feel like I am a far stronger and more well equipped person for all this knowledge.

I hope I keep learning at this rate and I think that I will. Next year I embark on my Nuffield travels, where I plan to travel to South America, North America, Europe and Africa to learn as much as I can from the leaders of BSF around the world. I hope this will elevate me to the premiership and help me to achieve my ambitions.

Future Farmer Programme at Harper Adams Universities School of Sustainable Food and Farming.