Lincs YFC Bingo Night          

On Friday 24^th April, Lincolnshire Young Farmers hosted a Virtual Bingo Night for its members, in order to raise money for Lincs Rural Support Network (LRSN).

A total of 29 members joined, each donating a minimum of £5 towards their tickets. As well as prizes which had been donated by members and county, we were extremely lucky to receive some fantastic prizes from local businesses.

Prizes included: a crate of batemans beer kindly donated by The Mall, £40 form Limagrain seeds, a £20 beauty voucher from Fields of Beauty by Molly. We are extremely grateful for the prizes which were donated and thank everyone who has helped us raise money for such a worthy cause!

The evening was a brilliant opportunity for members to catch up with one another, albeit virtually! There were many laughs, a good dose of mayhem and some very cheesy music but overall the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all who joined.

It is great that we are able to stay connected during these surreal times and if as a county, we can come together for a few hours a week and have fun, it makes a world of difference!

The event was finished off with a DJ Set from our very own George Clayton. Thank you for putting together a set as such short notice!

In total, we raised £150.00 from this event and look forward to hosting many more virtual evenings.

Tractors Into Schools Week 2020

 How was it already the first week of March?

Last year we visited five schools as part of Louth Young Farmers Tractors into Schools and for anybody who knows me, knows that I like to do better every year. Ha ha!

This year we managed to visit six schools in four days. It was very exciting for everyone involved. It always feels so rewarding seeing the ear to ear smiles on the children’s faces and sometimes even the teachers too, because for us a tractor is so normal it’s so nice to see the reaction to those who don’t often see or have never seen a tractor before.

I can’t thank the rest of the club, advisory and my fabulous mum who I wouldn’t have been able to it without, enough. Also a MASSIVE thank you to Lincs Motors who provided us with a tractor all week. My personal favorite day was Wednesday 5th March. In the morning we went to St Bernards in Louth, a school that has children of all abilities. 

It was such a memorable and enjoyable morning interacting with the students. Planting peas, feeling all the crops and going in the tractor. In the afternoon we visited Scartho Junior Academy and two little girls had a picture for me that they had drawn as they had been super excited all week running up to the visit, it makes you feel like all the hard work you put in really means a lot to the children which I found so sweet.

As a county we visited 15 schools and hopefully next year we can do even more. Watch this space…

EMA WEEKENDER...

On the weekend of the 28^th February, Lincolnshire YFC Members attended the East Midland Area Competitions weekend, held at the Beachcomber in Cleethorpes.

It was a great weekend with many memories and successes made. The key part of the weekend was the competitions that took place on the Saturday. These were between all the counties in the East Midland area, with the winners of this round going through to National to represent East Midlands Area. Lincolnshire had a very busy day with entries in every competition, which is fabulous. Competitions included Debating, Senior and Junior Member of the year, Situations Vacant, Cheerleading and many more. Well done to everyone who competed!!

Of course a good competition weekend is a great excuse for a social at the side of it. On the Friday and Saturday night there was entertainment provided for members. On Friday night we were very proud to have our very own DJ Blackgrass and DJ George Clayton taking to the decks along with the Vigilantes band. On Saturday night we saw something a little different with Starlight, a beat box band. Its safe to say a good time was had by all members.

It was a fantastic chance to socialise between counties as well as having a good boogie. I think there might have been a few sore heads on the Sunday morning….

This weekend really highlighted what being a young farmer is all about with showing off talent, getting the competitive spirit going and of course meeting new people and making more memories.

19 reasons why to become a LINCS Young Farmer

19 reasons why to become a LINCS Young Farmer

11    You will make memories and have many funny moments

Being able to look back at some of your favourite parts is always a great moment for any young farmer. In young farmers it is guaranteed that you will make great memories that you will look back on forever.

22    You will make lots of friends

At every meeting, social event and competition you will meet new likeminded people that will become friends for life.

33     You are given lots of training opportunities

On a club, county and national level training opportunities are always put in front of you. From first aid, to tyre, agricultural and leadership training, the list is endless.

44    We have amazing social events

On a club and county level we have a team of people that deliver fantastic socials from balls, to parties, which brings all sorts of different entertainment.

55    It will give you something great to put on your CV

It teaches you skills, which you can put on your CV and use YFC as examples of where you have demonstrated the skills.

66     Gives you great opportunities for career development

It opens you up opportunities related to your career, which you may not have had before. You meet some great people through young farmers who all want to help individual’s careers where they can.

77    Gives you fantastic travel opportunities

National Young Farmers offer a fantastic travel scheme, which gives you the opportunity to travel to a number of places. The YFC Ski Trip is particularly popular.

88     Helps improve your speaking skills

Young Farmers gives many opportunities for you to stand up and speak about what you believe in. From reporting about a trip in a business meeting to competing in the speaking competitions, it all helps to develop your speaking your skills, which are so vital in all aspects of life.

99     Gives you chance to compete

From cookery, auctioneering, sports, speaking, bowling and even a pub quiz, YFC offers you a chance to show off whatever skills you have in the range of competitions we offer. This year we look forward to a jam-packed year with 9 competitions plus our rally day, which is a full day of competing.

110.  Gives you loads of confidence

Young farmers can improve your confidence with the amount of people you socialise with and the things it encourages you to do.

111.  Pushes you to do things you would not normally do.

In July 21 of our members took to the sky to jump out of a plane. This is an example of something that you would not normally sign yourself up to do if you didn’t have people around you encouraging you to do it too.

112.  Presents lots of interesting visits and trips

On a weekly basis, clubs meet up and do something different. This brings lots of exciting visits to brewery’s, farms, factories and many more.

113.  Helps with your networking

Lincolnshire young farmers are constantly working with local businesses, suppliers and other organisations. Being a young farmer can introduce you to some of these people, which is a great networking opportunity.

114.  You get some discounts with businesses that work alongside young farmers

Certain businesses that work closely with young famers will then give you discount off their products and services.

115.  It is good for character building

Young Farmers does develop you as a person and really encourages you to bring out your strengths and develop your weaknesses. There are an endless amount of examples where it has really changed people.

116.  Helps improve your leadership skills

There are many opportunities for you to take on a leadership role at a club and county level. This gives you the chance to develop your leadership and its something else to put on your CV.

117.  Improves your organisational skills

Because young farmers’ diaries are so jammed packed then it gives you no option but to be organised, which is a vital life skill.

118.  Gives you chance to give back to the community

Within young farmers, clubs are encouraged to help out their local community and doing this, as a club is very enjoyable. Charity fundraising is also another important part of young farmers. Last year Lincolnshire raised £15,000 for charities.

119.  Can be helpful to find marriage material …

Even though its not intended that we are a dating agency, as we’ve said, young farmers introduces you to so many likeminded people. So finding the ‘one’ does not seem to be as rare as we may think.

Youth Forum Weekend

How it all started?

As Lincolnshire Young Farmers Youth Coordinator I went along to my first ever EMA meeting feeling extremely nervous as I had no idea what to expect. This is where our very own Vicki Kirk proposed me as EMA area's new Youth Forum Representative - feeling a little bit confused as to what I had to do I agreed to the role knowing it could only help me in my YFC career. I then got invited to a youth forum meeting in Edinburgh on the weekend of the 2nd- 4th February 2018. 

The weekend...

I went knowing that I would only know Laura Wrisdale so I was very worried about the weekend. However, by the end I did not want to leave. I made my way to Edinburgh by Train which was a 3 hour journey which seemed to take forever. When I arrived I was met by Jodie Green from NFYFC , with a whole group of people that had already arrived. There was people from all over the country, even the NFYFC Chairman.

Once we all arrived, we made our way to the Safe Stay Hostel where I shared a room with Laura and Lucy (Warwickshire YFC). We got ready and went for a lovely pub meal where we all got to know each other a bit more playing a game where we all had to write 2 facts down- one that people could easily guess and a harder one. This definitely gave us a better insight into peoples lives!! 

On the Saturday morning we had a short walk over to the Escape Rooms where we was all split down into different teams and had to work together to figure out how to escape from each of the different rooms. This was extremely difficult and mine was the only team that didn't manage to escape in the hour that was given. Then, we had a 40 minute drive to the next set of activities including quad biking and clay shooting! This had to be one of the best things of the whole weekend. I haven't ever really done quad biking or clay shooting but it was great to have the opportunity to do it. There was some people that had done it before so they was able to help us. 

On the Saturday evening, we had a 25 minute walk to the Pizza Express that we was eating at. This gave us chance to also have a little bit of a look round the city (which is absolutely beautiful). Over dinner we all had a really good chat getting to know each other even more. We found out what people had done at YFC, what roles that they have but also what they like to do outside of YFC! 

On the Sunday morning we all got prepared for what was going to be a long day of meetings and travelling back home. We had meetings from about 10am-1pm so very intense but very informative talking about competitions, what we want to do as the youth forum, what different counties/areas do to keep the juniors involved. It was so helpful for me as Youth Forum coordinator to get advice off of others as what to do for our juniors! I had a great weekend meeting new people and enjoying some different experiences. I would encourage anybody to try and get involved with something like this as it has really helped me!

By George Burrell, North Holland YFC

Lincs YFC Sports Competitions

Lincolnshire Young Farmers sports day at De Aston sports centre, Market Rasen, gave local clubs that chance to duke it out over some games.

Our first attempt at our sports day was thwarted by bad weather which made it difficult for our more far-flung friends to attend, however this time round there was no beating us. Rain or shine (and a little hail) we were going to play.

The competitions were: field hockey, ultimate Frisbee, jump rope, disco dancing, and dodgeball. All the teams showed a great amount of effort and enthusiasm while taking part in the games, well done to all!


The great thing about the sporting competitions, like many of the Young Farmer’s opportunities, was that it encouraged all abilities to get involved and have a go.Young farmers not only allows you to have fun but also use great talents or pick up a new skill.

The sports day was my first chance to have a real go at field hockey and despite my doubts, at the end of the games, I was reluctant to get off the pitch.

Ultimate Frisbee was a new game for many players, and an extra challenge was posed by the wind. The games that Louth took part in featured eventful occurrences such as one individual answering a call mid-air on the pitch, and myself throwing the Frisbee into someone’s garden. Big thanks to Tristan for climbing the fence and getting that back.
Choreographed jump rope gave competitors the chance to show off their skills and stamina to music, and for the lesser prepared among us, show how quickly we could think on our feet and make something up.

Young Farmers gives members the chance to show off all manner of skills and abilities, including disco dancing. I missed this competition but heard good things about those who chose to bust a move.

Great sportsmanship was shown by all clubs, from the players on the pitch, to the supporters on the side. A big thank you to everyone. The top teams will go on to represent Lincolnshire Young Farmers at EMA this March in Cleethorpes.

But it’s not about who wins or loses, it’s all about having fun and after all, at Young Farmers, everyone’s a winner…but actually:

Jump Rope: 1st Alford, 2nd Louth, 3rd Harmston A
Disco Dance: 1st Alford, 2nd Wragby, 3rd Harmston
Dodgeball: 1st Mixed team A (North Holland, Louth, Wragby) 2nd Mixed team B (North Holland, Market Rasen, Alford, Harmston, Wragby)
 
Ultimate Frisbee: 1st Alford, 2nd Market Rasen, 3rd Harmston
 
Hockey: 1st Wragby, 2nd Market Rasen, 3rd Louth.

Congrats!!!

By Lauren Thompson of Louth YFC

LOUTH YFC TAKE ME OUT

In the dull period between Christmas and New Year, Louth YFC had decided to brighten things up with a YFC edition of 'Take me out". With 18 stunning single ladies, 4 very keen gentleman and of course not forgetting Ed Hanson, our very own Paddy Mcguinness, it was definitely set to be a very entertaining and good night.

The night attracted huge crowds and was very successful in raising almost £2000 for Dementia UK. A huge well done to Louth YFC. Thanks to everyone who supported the event.

Fortunately, all 4 of our single lads managed to whisk away a lovely lady for a cute date. I have to say it was very well deserved after the huge amount of effort that was put into the videos, entertainment and generally making themselves look dapper for the evening. 

Here is what one of the fine gentleman had to say about the night:

"So the night had come to appear as a single lad on Louth YFC 'Take Me Out'. I was dressed in my best suit and wearing my best aftershave! I would be lying if I wasn't nervous (walking out into a crowd of 100+ people) but I was fairly calm. I was kept in the kitchen for about an hour to keep the whole thing a surprise and then got called up to walk down the love isle, my song choice for walking down the love isle was 'Are you going to be my girl' by Jet.
So the next thing I know, I was in front of everyone on the stage being interrogated by the single girls. They then watched a video about me (mostly about the Kia) which I had made for the event. Some lights went out and that was it. Then I did a bit of dancing, something I am fairly good at and also for everyone's entertainment. I then had 2 lights left on, and asked the girls 'What is your favourite holiday destination?' And then picked a date. While the raffle was being drawn, we had a date backstage (munching on the finest Walkers prawn cocktail crisps) and enjoying some Buck's Fizz and getting to know each other a little better. (Proper date still has to be arranged, sadly no Isle of Fernando’s) A very enjoyable night has had by all and not forgetting the amount Louth YFC made for Dementia UK. "
Shaun Underhill