Young sheep farmers to embark on new journey with NSA as part of popular development programme
6th February 2024
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is excited to bring together its 2024 cohort of NSA Next Generation Ambassadors for the first time next week.
Having undergone a thorough interview process assessing each candidates experience and ambition for their own sheep farming careers as well as the future of the wider sheep sector the new group of Ambassadors will now begin a series of personal and career technical development sessions as part of the programme.
NSA’s Next Generation programme has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2014 and is part of NSA’s wider Next Generation initiative, a dedicated area of work designed to encourage and support sheep farmers and service providers of the future.
The young sheep enthusiasts selected to take part this year come from all corners of the UK and have taken a variety of different routes into the sheep sector. Bringing together a varied group including first generation farmers taking their first steps on the sheep farming ladder and those with a long family history of sheep farming, the programme aims to enhance the young shepherds knowledge and personal development and provides plentiful networking opportunities.
As NSA Next Generation Ambassadors, the group will also begin a close working relationship with NSA both regionally and nationally and will help to promote the work of the Association to secure a positive future for the UK sheep industry.
NSA Communications Manager Katie James will join the group next week to kick off the programme for the year, she comments: “Yet again the selection process for this year’s NSA Next Generation Ambassador programme has introduced us to some outstanding young farmers who are clearly a real credit to the industry with passion and enthusiasm shining through from all of them.
“We now look forward to bringing the group together for an exciting year of activity that will see the group travel to different locations allowing them to experience a range of sheep farming systems and to learn from experienced farmers and industry experts. It’s an invaluable experience which we are certain will be of immense benefit to all members of the group.”
The first of four NSA Next Generation Ambassador delivery sessions will take place in Staffordshire next week when the group will be joined by some leading names from the UK sheep sector helping to kick start the 2024 programme.
More information on each of the young farmers selected to join the programme this year can be found online at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk via the ‘Ambassador Group’ tab, where a profile on each individual is listed.
NSA Next Generation is funded by NSA Head Office, regions and ram sales, with the Ambassador programme additionally supported by various delivery partners and sponsors.
