Slideshow: Hundreds of Young Farmers attend AGM

YFCU put together an informative morning programme for members and delegates from sister organisations Macra na Feirme, the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and Welsh Young Farmers to take part in.

Before embarking on the day’s proceedings, members had an energising workout provided by La Mon Hotel’s Country Club staff. President Roberta Simmons then welcomed members to the Conference.

Workshops on the day were provided by Farmhouse Treats who gave members a chance to decorate cupcakes by making sugar craft tractors and a country dancing workshop was also provided by Jinty Anderson.

The Association’s most eagerly awaited competition also took place just prior to the AGM. Four clubs had made it through to the final of the Club of the Year competition sponsored by Power NI. Glarryford YFC, Ballywalter YFC, Derg YFC and Dungiven YFC took part in a quiz to determine the winner. After a nervous wait, Glarryford YFC were announced as winners and received the Club of the Year trophy. The Club of the Year competition was established in 2012 in memory of former YFCU General Secretary Arthur McAllister.

During the AGM in the afternoon, the presidential team for 2016/17 was announced. Roberta Simmons (Rathfriland YFC) was re-elected into the position of President of the Association and James Speers, (Collone YFC) was re-elected to the position of Deputy President.

The positions of Vice President went to re-elected members Brooks Allen, (Collone YFC), Zita Blair, (Moneymore YFC) and Harry Crosby, (Spa YFC). David Oliver, (Dungiven YFC) was elected for the first time as Vice President taking over from Andrew Little, (Lisbellaw YFC) who stepped down after two years in the role.

Roberta gave a special word of thanks to the outgoing Vice President Andrew Little.

She commented: “Andrew in his two years as a Vice President has been a tremendous servant to the YFCU and I am sure he shall continue to be so. We welcome David Oliver from Dungiven YFC to the Presidential Team assuming the fourth VP role and I look forward to working with David. David, who is a Policy Officer with the UFU, will bring a wealth of knowledge to the team.”

Roberta also announced her theme for the coming year during the AMG. She commented: “This year’s theme will be ‘Innov8’. I want to challenge members to push themselves to do ‘8’ new things whether it be at competition level, taking on an office bearer role or sitting on Central Committees. We offer the chance to innovate to our members through developing skills and learning needs for leadership, business development and growth. Innovation has been a key part of YFCU’s success over several decades and programmes and initiatives that have been developed to meet the needs of rural young dwellers have proven to be of great value to young people in a variety of settings.”

The YFCU would like to thank Massey Ferguson for their sponsorship of the AGM and Conference, La Mon Country Club staff for the energising workout and all of those who delivered the workshops to members.