21 Aug 2018
Young Farmer Focus: Amy Bere – ‘Farmers need to educate the general public about sustainably produced food’
Amy Bere, 25, a farmer’s daughter from South Yorkshire, is a Management Development Services (MDS) graduate, a scheme which trains young people in the food and fresh produce industry. She now currently works for BASF, the world’s second largest chemical company.
Growing up: Growing up surrounded by agriculture and the love for all things outside led me down the path of joining Harper Adams University to undergo 4 years studying Agri-Business, which turned out to be the best decision – I made friends for life and it set me up for a future career in agriculture.
Young Farmers: I had a short break following university to work on a diversified farm, which had a Christmas shop, dairy farm, Christmas trees and – the most exciting part – six reindeer.
I was chief calf rearer and general hand, selling trees, harvesting apples – you name it, I did it. These three months were some of the most memorable, especially joining in with Devon Young Farmers.
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MDS scheme: I decided to join the MDS graduate scheme in 2018. I gained invaluable experiences you would not have the opportunity to experience within an internal business graduate scheme.
It has taken me from growing medicinal hemp in a greenhouse in temperatures up to 40degsC, to moving to Manchester and playing a key role in launching Revysol, a new fungicide to a nationwide UK audience.
Family farm: In 2013, my parents purchased a small farm in South Yorkshire. Having grown up around agriculture, we only ever rented small paddocks for our few sheep. Now, we are growing the flock and we have also started a beef herd.
Since moving to the farm we have opened the gates for one day every year around lambing time to invite the public to experience some of the excitement and hard work that goes into the farming life.
Change: Moving to Manchester has opened my eyes to how lucky we are to live in the countryside and to be surrounded by all the animals.
It is surprising to see the number of people who will never have had the chance to see lambs playing in the fields, and that is something we need to change.
Education: With the current scrutiny farmers constant face, it is more important than ever for them to educate the general public, specifically about sustainably produced food and looking out for the British label, ensuring it has not been shipped half way around the world to get to our plate.
- More information If you would like to be featured, email olivia.midgley@fginsight.com
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