Sat on the panel were Bizza Walters, previously an NFU Student and Young Farmer ambassador, and Will Roobottom, a young sheep farmer and previous finalist for the BFA digital innovator of the year. Alongside managing their own flocks of sheep, both panellists work separate day jobs related to the industry, meaning packed schedules and long days, but most importantly, an overwhelming love for farming.
鈥淵oung farmers have to have another source of income to fund it, particularly those starting out on their own,鈥� Bizza explained, adding that diversification was already key to business survival in the industry. Talking on the future of farming, Will was confident that 鈥渆fficiency and technology will be really important鈥�, and that the younger generation are very lucky to be coming into the industry with 鈥渢he scope to use, change and adapt agri-tech鈥�.
Social media
While discussing farming and what inspires them to maintain such a busy lifestyle, Bizza spoke about the differences that every day brings, despite 鈥渆very morning, evening and weekend being spent with the animals鈥�.
While Will is inspired by the 鈥渢angibility of farming鈥�, and the feeling that you鈥檝e achieved something at the end of every day. However, the pair both agreed a need for authenticity and 鈥渟howing the bad as well as the good,鈥� particularly to their wide social media following.
鈥�The hardest thing is starting, just give it a go."
Will Roobottom
After starting up their social media platforms with the idea of sharing their adventures and experiences, they have both grown their channels to a respectable sized audience. They continue to use their growing channels to meet people, share advice and information, but also as a 鈥渇ree marketing tool鈥�, with Bizza remarking that she has gained new customers from the platform.
The discussion quickly moved to another important role of social media, in its ability to connect and reassure people in an otherwise very isolated job, with both agreeing they were lucky to be part of the younger generation growing up with this available to them.
Inspiring others
Closing the session, Bizza and Will were asked what they would say to other young people considering entering the farming industry.
Bizza reflected on her own experiences entering the industry on her own, despite being from a farming family, and ended by saying 鈥渨hether you鈥檙e from a farming background or not, you can do it and put your stamp on it鈥�.
Will agreed with this, explaining how he started off with only six sheep, and added that 鈥渢he hardest thing is starting, just give it a go鈥�.聽
You can follow Bizza on instagram at: and you can follow Will on YouTube at:
