Each month we ask a young farmer for their views on farming and rural youth. This month we caught up with Craig Nicol from Inver Ross Young Farmers
Name: Craig Nicol
Age: 25
Club: InverRoss
Where do you stay? Tore.
Do you hold or have you held any office-bearer roles? Last year I was club chairman, and this year I’m RNI district chairman.
Tell us about your background in agriculture: My grandfather owned the family farm but my father pursued his career in HGV mechanics. My background really started as I left school working for a closeby farm grading potatoes and after leaving forestry college I then started on the farm I still work on six and a half years later.
What do you do for an occupation? I’m currently a self-employed farm worker on Wester Craiglands Farm, Fortrose.
What sparked your interest in agriculture? Like many boys at a young age, tractors inspired my interest and being from the countryside and the small piece of land we had it was a forward sight that I’d end up on a farm.
What is the most rewarding thing about working in the farming industry? The end of a very busy spell with lambing and calving coming to a tail end. It’s great that no two days are the same; there’s always a variety of work from contract bruising to turning out some of the pure Charolais cattle on the farm. It’s a joy to be in such a busy environment.
As rural youth, do you think there is something we should be doing additionally or differently within the agricultural sector? I myself have been very lucky to have come from a farming background and started self employment work at the age of 18. This is something I feel others from a different background can miss out on if they feel they don’t have the initial start that someone like myself had. More courses are being widely available from colleges and recruitment businesses – this can only help encourage more people into farming.
Where do you see the farming sector in 10 years’ time? I can only see farming progress more and more into the electronic side. After a harvest in Australia working my first fully auto steer combine it shows you how much we rely on it. From slaughterhouses now grading electronically, to some advanced farms weighing cattle when they go to the water trough, technology can give us more accurate and up to date information at as little as a touch of a button.
If you could pass on one piece of advice to someone looking to get into the sector what would it be? My best piece of information would be don’t be scared to try new things. I’ve met loads of people with such varied previous jobs it can really pay to take the plunge and work in the great outdoors in such a rewarding job.
We can’t end the interview without talking about Young Farmers so tell us about your experience – why did you join? I started going along to our local club at the age of 12 with my sister who at the time was club secretary and my first event was a speech making competition. I joined at 14 and have since remained an active member to our club, north and national events.
What do you enjoy most about Young Farmers? I enjoy the social opportunities and varied activities I have been able to take part in. There really is something for everyone from speechmaking, arts and crafts, to sports and stock judging.
How do you feel Young Farmers has impacted your life? Through Young Farmers I have grown in my own confidence and taken opportunities I never thought I would say yes to. I have met like-minded people from all over the country and made some great friends I would probably never had met. I’ve learnt important organisational skills through taking roles within our club and now our district.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to join? For anyone who would like to join I can say it’s been a great experience and SAYFC is growing from strength to strength. Just look us up and find your region, but always remember it’s not just for those who wear wellies.
