Today we are packing up our yellow wellies and will be hitting the road tomorrow for the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland! We are joining our friends at Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) on Stand B36 so if you are visiting please do come and say hello!
The YFCU, which has over 3,000 members from approximately 60 clubs across the province, is led by young people, for young people. In addition to providing opportunities for members to develop new skills and contribute to their local communities, YFCU enables young people to keep abreast of the key issues and trends within agriculture and offers an invaluable opportunity for the Farm Safety Foundation to bring the farm safety message to Northern Ireland’s young farmers.
Did you know that according to Balmoral Show sponsors Ulster Bank, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector accounts for 1 in every 4 businesses in Northern Ireland and employs over 28,000 people? Agricultural land also accounts for 73.8% of total land area in the province so it is vital that we engage those farmers currently in the industry and those who are studying for a career in agriculture.
Commenting on the relationship, Michael Reid, Chief Executive of YFCU said, “YFCU is looking forward to working with the Foundation, we have worked hard to make members safety aware through training but this relationship will allow us to complete the jigsaw and change behaviours with young farmers”
This are exciting times for the Foundation. YFCU are avid supporters of our Yellow Wellies campaign which asks young farmers to seriously think “who would fill your boots” in the event of a life-changing injury? The Balmoral Show starts tomorrow and both the Foundation and YFCU have planned some fun activities for members and visitors to take part in. We are delighted that YFCU President Roberta Simmons, NFU Mutual Chairman Richard Percy and Regional Manager Martin Malone and HSE NI’s Bryan Monson will be joining us on the stand to introduce the partnership and together we will take the farm safety message to the 60 Young Farmers’ Clubs across the province in the hope that together we can make a difference and change attitudes to health and safety in Northern Ireland’s farming community.
