Good farmers, good patriots, good citizens

A recent report, launched at the Senedd, reflects on the impact of Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) on rural communities in Wales. Elfyn Davies looks at the findings.

YFC is a movement for young people aged between 10 and 28. And No, you don’t have to be a farmer to be a young farmer.

The clubs are based in villages and towns across Wales and each club is responsible for its own affairs. Officers are elected from amongst the members : Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Programme Secretary, Press Reporter etc. Leaders are also appointed by the members. These are volunteers who give of their time to help young people and the community. These also develop skills of leadership, arranging and dealing with money among other things.

Every club is part of a county Federation. There are 12 in Wales including Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. There are voluntary officers and a paid organiser in each county in charge of organising events and competitions. Together, they form Wales YFC, and many of the counties are also part of National Federation which includes clubs in England. This year Carmarthenshire celebrates 80 years since their federation was formed. It had 40 clubs in 1944 but now only 18 are active.

The effect and benefit of the movement can be divided in two. First, it brings benefit to young people who are members socially and by developing confidence and skills. As well as weekly social and educational evenings, competing is an important part of the movement’s calendar and in order to compete training is given to learn new skills. The Movement offers all sort of competitions from agricultural ones such as judging stock and fencing, to on-stage ones such as drama and entertainment, public speaking and eisteddfod, as well as practical ones such as flower arranging, preparing chicken and woodwork.

But there is another element to the movement’s work, namely contribution to the community. Clubs organise events to bring rural communities together as well as raising money for charity. In 2023 Llanllwni YFC in Carmarthenshire raised over £10,000 for charities. During the COVID-19 pandemic YFC members helped with shopping and collecting prescriptions for vulnerable members of the community.

So rural communities have much to be grateful to the Young Farmers for. This is the future of the countryside: “Good Farmers, Good Patriots and Good Citizens”.