THOSE embarking on a career in UK potato growing are being invited to apply for a free year-long training programme aimed at inspiring and equipping them for the future.
Applications are open for Fresh AF 2025, a 12-month programme for up to 20 young farming professionals, which connects participants with industry leaders, businesses, and cutting-edge practices to prepare them for success in a rapidly-evolving agricultural landscape. Applications for those aged between 18 – 40 are open now until the end of January 2025.
The programme is organised by AF, a co-operative buying group for UK farms and rural businesses. Fresh AF was launched in March at the Euston Estate, and is a free-to-join programme sponsored by leading suppliers to farms.
Over the course of the year, participants engage in:
The programme culminates in a closing ceremony at the Farmers Club in London, featuring presentations from participants and renowned industry figures, which in 2024 included James Peck, Managing Director at PX Farms, Andrew Ward MBE, and Farmers Weekly farmer of the year, Mark Means.
James said: “Fresh AF is doing an excellent job of broadening horizons and bringing valuable insights to farm businesses through the development of young employees. Personal development and training are critical for the growth of the agricultural industry, and I encourage young agri-professionals to get involved.”
Fresh AF offers the opportunity to:
Tom Harrison is a director at HDF Farming Ltd, a family run farm & contract farming business based in Northeast Norfolk, which grows potatoes and other crops. He took part in the 2024 programme and said it provided him with numerous learnings and networking benefits.
“It’s been a great opportunity to get off the farm, learn about different aspects of the industry and meet other young professionals. We’re focusing on building up soil fertility and reducing inputs without sacrificing yields and Fresh AF has provided invaluable knowledge in this area which we will apply on the farm.”
Tom was amongst 20 young farming professionals who participated in a series of events featuring 51 speakers across four counties and two countries. The journey began with a launch at Euston Estate in Suffolk and included visits to Vodafone HQ in Berkshire to explore agricultural technologies, Nufarm UK field trials in Cambridgeshire to assess weed control techniques, and Timac Agro in France to delve into sustainable fertiliser alternatives supported by science.
Sponsors for 2025 include Timac Agro UK, Bayer, BASF, Nufarm UK, and Origin Soil Nutrition, Payne Crop Nutrition, Comm-Tech Voice & Data, Adama and Syngenta.
Send a cover letter to [email protected] to be considered for Fresh AF 2025.
