Young Farmer Focus: Katie Court - 'If we look after the world, it will look after us'
Katie Court, 23, is a training adviser with Coleg Sir Gar, supporting apprentices in land-based industries.
She farms beef and sheep with her mother, father and brother, and helps on her boyfriend’s dairy farm in Carmarthenshire.
Experience: I have recently finished studying for my degree in agriculture with the University of Wales Trinity St David and will graduate this month.
A-level results day did not go quite as I had hoped – or how my teachers had told me it would.
However, this was not the end of my educational journey and to all those doing exams as I write this, it is not the be-all and end-all.
In fact, it was only the beginning of a much better path for me.
Today, employers are looking for years of work experience, which some may struggle to gain while studying.
Part-time studying gives you the opportunity to do both, gaining the practical skills and the theoretical knowledge required.
Studying part-time for my degree while also working has helped propel me into the career I had always wanted.
Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular option for students and employers, and these allow the apprentice to have the opportunity to earn while they learn.
With an enormous amount of routes available to follow, it allows students to find one which suits them and their aspirations.
YFC: I have been a member of my local YFC for 10 years. On joining Gower YFC I was a shy and timid young girl.
It has provided me with an infinite amount of opportunities to develop my skills, meet new people and make new memories.
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In March this year I was honoured to be awarded Wales Senior Member of the Year, a privilege I will treasure forever.
In May I travelled to Leamington Spa to compete in the National Young Farmers Senior Member of the Year competition and to attend the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) AGM.
To share the stage with six forwardthinking members of the movement was inspiring and to listen to many more speak during the meeting reminded me of the true wonder of YFC.
I have every faith in the membership of NFYFC and those members we have elected to posts in council to help take YFC forward. I urge you all to engage in Vision: 2023.
Environment: None of us know what lies beyond Brexit, but the more strings we have to our bows, the more robust an industry we can develop.
As a small island looking after our environment, it will allow us to continue with efficient and productive agriculture.
Agricultural land equated to about 71 per cent of the total land mass in the UK last year and we as an industry have the ability to lead the way in protecting our environment. If we look after the world, it will look after us.
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