National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and LEAF
(Linking Environment And Farming)
Background
Since LEAF’s inception in 1991, LEAF has always had a NFYFC
representative on its main management committee – the Advisory Board,
which was renamed the LEAF Consultative Forum in 2007. One of LEAF’s
objectives is to encourage young people working in agriculture and related
industries to embrace the principles of environmentally responsible farming or
Integrated Farm Management. We are keen to reach out to the 659 Young
Farmers Clubs, which represent 22, 000 young members and get them
involved in what we do.
The LEAF Consultative Forum
 NFYFC are members of LEAF’s Consultative Forum
 The group is run ‘virtually’ via the web, with a ‘face to face’ meeting once a
year for discussion and exchange of ideas.
 Members of the Consultative Forum are also asked to attend our annual
President’s Event.
 The group addresses topical issues and seeks the views of its members.
The first topic was Animal Welfare and other issues are expected to include
Climate Change, GMO’s, CAP etc
 On the basis of these responses, LEAF will draw up policy papers to help
steer the organisation forward as well as influence the rural agenda.
LEAF’s Current Activities
 Launch of Tiptoe Farm as a Demonstration Farm in Northumberland – 17th
September
 Attendance at Waitrose Autumn Food Festival – 26th to 28th September
 Development of the Green Box – a monitoring handbook for farmers
 Open Farm Sunday – 7th June 2009
 Update of Virtual Farm Walk
 President’s Event/AGM 19th November
 Development of LEAF Marque overseas
Opportunities for NFYFC of being involved in LEAF
 Networking – members of the Consultative Forum include Defra, CPRE,
Natural England, ADAS, Environment Agency, AICC, RSPB, Birds Eye Ltd,
NFU, CLA, Sainsburys and Marks and Spencer
 Open Farm Sunday – get involved with local farms. Over 400 farms across
the country opened up this year on Open Farm Sunday
 Help drive the development of Integrated Farming forward – we are
currently updating our Guide to Integrated Farming and will be seeking the
views of the Consultative Forum
 European opportunities – LEAF is one of a number of IFM organisations
across Europe who are all members of EISA (European Initiative for the
Development of Sustainable Agriculture). We have close links with all of
them and organise regular study tours.
 Work experience – we sometimes take on students for short periods time
to carry out specific areas of work
 Work placements – LEAF has hundreds of farmer members who may be
happy to host a work placements for an agricultural students. This would
link in well with the NFYFC’s HOPS programme.
 Access to speakers – LEAF’s network of Demonstration Farmers and
Innovations Centres offers a first class ‘pool’ of speakers for NFYFC
meetings. Many of them have received communications training and would
provide a lively and thought provoking presentation
 Communications training – LEAF offers Communications Training to a
wide variety of groups looking to improve their communications skills. It has
also developed a Speak Out CD-Rom to help farmers and those working in
related industries to explain what they do and why they do it.
 Influencing the Rural Agenda – NFYFC’s involvement with LEAF is critical
to ensure the hopes, concerns and aspirations of young people, interested
in the future of farming, is heard.