Young People in Food & Farming: Building Connections and Exploring Careers in Agriculture
At MorePeople, we're passionate about supporting the next generation of talent in the food and farming industry. That's why we were delighted to host another Young People in Food & Farming (YPFF) networking event, bringing together aspiring and established professionals for an evening of career advice, industry insights and meaningful connections.
Kindly hosted by Roythornes Solicitors, a leading law firm specialising in food, agriculture and farming, the event welcomed attendees from across the agricultural sector to hear from a panel of professionals who have each carved out successful careers in different areas of the industry.
James Blore, Product Development Manager UK, Sakata
There isn't one route into food and farming
The evening kicked off with each panellist sharing their career journey. We explored how they found themselves working in agriculture, what attracted them to the industry and what their roles involve today.
One message came through loud and clear: there isn't a "right" way into food and farming.
Each panellist had taken a different path, proving that whether your background was in agriculture or not, there are countless opportunities to build a rewarding career within the sector.
For many of those in the room who are just starting out, it was a reassuring reminder that careers rarely follow a straight line.
The challenges... and the opportunities
One of the most engaging conversations of the evening centred around the future of the food and farming industry.
The panel spoke openly about some of the challenges the sector is currently facing, including changing legislation, weather, economic pressures, attracting the next generation of talent and the increasing expectations placed on businesses to embrace sustainability and innovation.
But the discussion wasn't all about the challenges.
The panel also highlighted why now is such an exciting time to be part of the industry. Advances in technology, research, plant breeding, data, sustainability and on-farm innovation are creating new opportunities across the sector. Whether you're interested in production, commercial roles, communications, research or professional services, there has never been a broader range of careers available in agriculture.
For anyone considering a career in food and farming, the message was clear: this is an industry full of opportunity for people who are curious, adaptable and willing to learn.
Standing out and building your career
The conversation then turned to career development, with the panel sharing what catches their attention when recruiting or working with young professionals.
While technical skills are important, qualities such as enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, strong communication skills and a genuine passion for the industry were repeatedly highlighted as what really helps people stand out.
The panel also reflected on lessons they've learnt throughout their careers, discussing the importance of saying yes to opportunities, finding mentors and not waiting until you feel "100% ready" before taking the next step.
Why networking matters
As a networking event, it was only fitting that one of the biggest themes of the evening was... networking.
The panellists shared how building relationships has opened doors throughout their careers and encouraged attendees not to overthink networking. Sometimes, introducing yourself to just one new person can lead to your next opportunity, future collaboration or lifelong connection.
Following the panel discussion and audience Q&A, attendees enjoyed food, drinks and plenty of time to continue conversations, share experiences and grow their professional networks.
A huge thank you to Roythornes Solicitors for hosting the event, to our fantastic panel for sharing their experiences so openly, and to everyone who attended.
It's brilliant to see the Young People in Food & Farming community continue to grow, and we're already looking forward to the next event.
If you're interested in building your career in food and farming or would like to join future YPFF events, keep an eye on our LinkedIn page and website for upcoming announcements and join our WhatsApp group here.
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