Young sheep farmers to embark on new journey with NSA as part of popular development programme
7th February 2022
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is excited to announce the 13 young UK sheep farmers selected to benefit from its highly regarded Next Generation Ambassador programme this year.
Having undergone a thorough interview process assessing each candidates experience and ambition for their own sheep farming careers as well as the future of the wider sheep sector the new cohort of Ambassadors will now begin a series of personal and career technical development sessions as part of the programme.
NSA’s Next Generation programme has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2014 and is part of NSA’s wider Next Generation initiative, a dedicated area of work designed to encourage and support sheep farmers and service providers of the future.
The young sheep enthusiasts selected to take part this year come from all corners of the UK and have taken a variety of different routes into the sheep sector. Bringing together a varied group including first generation farmers taking their first steps on the sheep farming ladder and those with a long family history of sheep farming the programme aims to enhance the young shepherds' knowledge and personal development and provides plentiful networking opportunities. As NSA Next Generation Ambassadors, the group are also beginning a close working relationship with NSA both regionally and nationally and will help to promote the work of the Association to secure a positive future for the UK sheep industry.
Katie James, NSA Communications Officer, who coordinates the Next Generation programme, says: “This year’s selection process has been one of our most competitive yet, making it extremely challenging to choose those that will now become part of this year’s group out of so many worthy candidates. It is a real credit to the industry to see such passion and enthusiasm shine through from the young individuals who apply, something we should be very proud of.
“We are now looking forward to bringing the group together for the first time. The programme, like so many activities, has been adversely affected during the past two years due to covid-19 so we are hopeful this year will allow the programme to return with a renewed focus and 13 young sheep farmers that are brimming with enthusiasm to make the most of what the opportunity can deliver.”
The first of four NSA Next Generation Ambassador delivery sessions will take place in Gloucestershire next week when the group will be joined by some leading names from the UK sheep sector helping to kick start the 2022 programme.
More information on each of the young farmers selected to join the programme this year can be found online at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk via the ‘Ambassador Group’ tab, where a profile on each individual is listed.
NSA Next Generation is funded by NSA Head Office, regions and ram sales, with the Ambassador programme additionally supported by various delivery partners and sponsors.
