NSA Next Generation Event

More than 80 young people with an interest and thirst for knowledge on all things sheep came together to enjoy NSA’s fourth annual Next Generation event, held this year at Stratford Livestock Market, Warwickshire.

Held as part of the NSA Next Generation Project, the one-day event marked the culmination of this year’s intake of NSA Next Generation Ambassadors which has seen 12 individuals from across the UK take part in a series of technical and personal development sessions during the year. In doing so, the application window for the 2017 intake is now open. Details can be found at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk/applyonline

Joanne Briggs, NSA Communications Manager, says: “We are thrilled with how the day went, it was fantastic to see so many keen and enthusiastic young people involved in the sheep sector turn out who were genuinely interested in the information on offer and how it could be used in their own farming systems. Now three years into the NSA Next Generation Ambassador programme, it was great to see familiar faces from the 2014 and 2015 groups returning and maintaining links to NSA as the programme intends.”

Four young shepherds provided the introductory panel of speakers. Having each taken a different path into sheep farming, attendees were able to hear specific and tailored advice relating to working on a family farm, establishing a share farming agreement, starting out as a self-employed shepherd to running a flock without any owned land. A series of six, informal and practical sessions followed of which attendees were invited to attend four.

Mrs Briggs continues: “We were able to keep the workshops groups small, giving individuals plenty of opportunity to ask questions specifically relating to own businesses or ideas. And with so many of the NSA Next Generation Ambassadors around, anyone thinking about applying for the 2017 intake was left in little doubt on the fantastic experiences those who’ve been through the programme have had already.”