Next up in our webinar series, we hear from new entrants into farming about their experience entering the profession and forging successful careers.
Getting into farming
The panel will highlight some of the challenges and opportunities along the way, and will share some of the best tips and advice for anyone thinking about getting into farming or setting up their own farming business, regardless of whether they are from a farming background or not.
The webinar will explore what needs to be accomplished at grassroots level right up to the highest level of Government policy to drive positive change within the industry for new talent, and for agriculture to be recognised as a career pathway for anyone and everyone who wants to be part of it.
The session will be led by Íæż½ã½ã's chief reporter, Rachael Brown, and promises to be an informative session to learn how others have paved a career in the industry. It is an opportunity to ask those who have just started out in farming and are making a success of it about how they got there and what advice they have.
Webinar panel
Bronagh Dempster
Bronagh, 24, was raised in rural Co Down, Northern Ireland.
Despite being from a non-farming family, Bronagh caught the bug for farming at a young age and followed this through to studying agriculture at university. Bronagh currently works for a dairy processor full time and fills her weekend farming at a local dairy farm.
Bronagh recently completed the inaugural Nuffield Next Gen Scholarship, travelling to dairy farms across the UK for 28 days last summer, seeing best practice and incredible business minds in action along the way.
Her aspirations within farming are to make as much of a positive impact as possible to farmers and hopes to farm her own livestock some day.
Ben McClymont
I am a Farms and Estate Manager, where I oversee a diverse agricultural business encompassing beef, sheep, and arable production, alongside residential and commercial lets. After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture from SRUC, I worked as a trainee farms manager before taking on my current role. I also gained valuable experience working and traveling in New Zealand and Australia.
Currently, I serve as a National Board Member of NFU Scotland and Chair of the Next Generation Committee, advocating for the voices of young farmers and crofters across the country. I am also an active member of the Scottish Association of Young Íæż½ã½ã (SAYFC), sitting on the Agri and Rural Affairs Committee and now a National Board Trustee.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two young daughters.
Jackie Hough
Jackie is industry manager (land-based) at City & Guilds.
Her role is to work with employers and industry bodies to support the diversity of the land-based sector and to ensure they are involved in the development of qualifications impacting the future workforce.
Prior to City & Guilds, Jackie worked at a land-based college for 18 years, supporting all aspects of STEM, careers and other associated projects such as T-Levels.
She also has her own family farm in the Bowland Fell, which they have grown over the years from a start up farming business.
Jessi Stephens
Jessi and Chris Stephens farm rare and traditional breeds on the Monmouthshire banks of the River Severn. Chris is a fourth-generation local farmer, while Jessi is a new entrant into farming.
Their journey began by renting barns and small parcels of land for sheep and calf rearing, before securing a tenancy with Monmouthshire Council. Their choice to focus on native and rare breeds was almost accidental, but it perfectly suits their outdoor-based, low-input farming system.
They raise Belted Welsh Black cattle, an ancient Welsh breed known for efficiently converting forage into protein while thriving outdoors all year round. Their pedigree Welsh pigs are reared in an outdoor system and sold directly to local butchers. They are also launching a microdairy with native-population Jerseys. Most recently, they have introduced breeding chickens and geese to the farm.
Until recently, they also managed a flock of mixed-breed commercial sheep but have decided to step away from sheep farming to focus on the microdairy. The first 18 months have been full of trial and error, but they have now found what works best for them and their land.
Participate and engage
To join the webinar, – please note your email confirmation will come from Incisive Media.
We also invite you to send your questions and comments in advance to [email protected]
