Insights from the Young Farmers Stage at Cereals
Agriculture is no longer just about muddy boots and tractors; today’s industry offers a diverse and rapidly evolving range of careers. From agronomy to AI, from livestock to logistics, the Young Farmers Stage at Cereals hosted an inspiring session exploring the future of agri-careers in the UK. Away from Wardy’s Waffle Bar and attendees queuing up to look at the new John Deere 9RX, this lively one-hour panel brought together experts from across the sector to discuss not only current job opportunities but also the emerging roles and skills needed for the decades ahead.
Panel Format
The session began with a series of 5-minute speaker introductions, supported by slides, and concluded with a Q&A from the audience focused on real-world job descriptions and audience questions.
This format allowed attendees to hear directly from leading voices in the industry while gaining practical advice on career paths, skills development, and where the sector is headed.
What the Audience Wanted to Know
Thanks to a recent visitor survey from Cereals 2024, we ensured the panel reflected what matters most to young people considering a future in agriculture. Topics included:
Emerging Agritech jobs
The impact of AI, robotics, and drones on employment
Mentorship and coaching programmes
Inclusivity and workforce diversification
Training and apprenticeships
Roles in the food supply chain
Meet the Panel
Moderator: Hannah Cuthbert – Recruitment Consultant, MorePeople
As both Chair and speaker, Hannah brought valuable insight from the world of ag recruitment. She explored the breadth of available roles, highlighted the increasing importance of soft skills, and shared live job descriptions to spark discussion. Hannah also introduced the work of MorePeople, explaining exactly what we do and what we specialise in!
Thomas Price – Employment and Skills Adviser, NFU
Thomas provided a market overview from the NFU, spotlighting what members are looking for in new hires, the challenges employers face, and how policy changes are influencing workforce demand.
Marcus Travers – Agri-Food Technology Lead, Anglia Ruskin University
Marcus focused on educational pathways from undergraduate and graduate programmes to apprenticeships. He explored how future ag roles are evolving and what skills today’s students need to stay competitive.
Corrina Urquhart – CEO, BASIS
Corrina introduced the audience to ongoing professional development programmes including BASIS, NRoSO, FACTS, and Agronomy certifications—essential tools for anyone looking to upskill or re-skill in land-based sectors.
Charles Jarvis – Case Study Speaker
Charles offered an inspiring and practical first-hand account of his career journey, sharing the challenges and breakthroughs that shaped his path in agriculture.
Tess Howe – Head of Partnerships
Tess unpacked the innovation pipeline in farming and introduced the work of TIAH (The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture). She discussed precision ag, specialist roles, and shared findings from their recent Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) report on the skills we’ll need to succeed in agriculture by 2040.
Why This Matters
Events like Cereals are vital in shaping the future of UK agriculture and sparking these types of conversations. They aren’t just about showcasing the latest kit and crop science—they're also critical for shaping the workforce of tomorrow. They give career changers, students and industry professionals a chance to connect, ask questions, and explore new directions.
During the panel, a question stood out to me: "How can I stay on the pulse when it comes to finding my first role in the industry?"
They were already doing the right thing; they were at Cereals.
The network and calibre of attendees is fantastic and a great way to learn more and develop new connections. I remember being a nervous University Student myself, walking around Cereals completely excited by all of the opportunities agriculture possessed. Speaking to anyone and everyone, they were all very happy to explain their business and career opportunities to me.
Today, I’m lucky enough to help others navigate those same choices, whether they’re just starting out or stepping up into senior and board-level roles. The diversity of career paths in agriculture has never been greater, and there’s never been a more exciting time to get involved.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Check out MorePeople, the NFU, Anglia Ruskin University, BASIS, and TIAH for resources, courses, and career advice.
I am always available for a chat... contact me here!
