Joshua Keys steps into role as Vice President

21-year-old Joshua Keys has been appointed as one of four Vice Presidents of the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), marking a significant milestone in his long-standing involvement with the organisation.

After completing his A Levels, Joshua made the decision to return home to work alongside his father on the family farm, which keeps pigs, beef, and sheep. In addition to this, Joshua enjoys breeding and showing pedigree sheep. Farming has played a central role in shaping his life, providing countless memories and experiences on the family farm. However, he credits Young Farmers as being instrumental in his personal development.

Joshua joined Seskinore Young Farmers Club at the age of 12, initially as a shy and reserved member who participated mainly in stock judging and tag rugby. Encouragement from club officers at the time inspired him to step outside his comfort zone, take part in a wider range of competitions, and eventually take on a leadership role as Assistant Club Leader. Discovering a passion for leadership, he went on to serve as Club Leader for two years, followed by a term as Club Secretary.

During his time at club level, Joshua focused on fostering an inclusive environment where every member felt valued and played a key role in the club’s success. He strongly believes that participation in competitions is central to the YFCU experience and leads by example, adopting the mindset that active involvement from leaders encourages engagement from all members.

Joshua has also held leadership roles beyond the club, serving as Tyrone County Chair over the past two years, where he represented and advocated for all clubs within the county. At Northern Ireland level, he has contributed to several committees, including the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA), Programme and Development (P&D), and the Executive Committee. He is now looking forward to taking on the role of incoming Vice Chairperson of the P&D Committee. 

In his new role as Vice President, Joshua is committed to being a strong and approachable voice for all members across the organisation’s fifty clubs. He is passionate about supporting clubs, encouraging participation, and ensuring members feel supported at every level. A key priority for him is to challenge the perception that Young Farmers is solely for those from farming backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all young people.

He aims to place membership development and enjoyment at the heart of the organisation, while also advocating strongly for the farming industry. Joshua hopes to help create opportunities and open doors for young people entering agriculture.

He is enthusiastic about working alongside fellow members of the 2026/2027 presidential team, who are Kristina Fleming, Joyce Allen, Karen Walker, Victoria Minford, and James Morrison.

Reflecting on his YFCU journey, Joshua highlights the friendships he has made as one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of Young Farmers. From attending Junior Weekend to competing in Northern Ireland finals, he has built strong connections and lasting friendships across the country. He believes these relationships are a defining feature of the organisation, adding that he could go anywhere in Northern Ireland and feel a sense of belonging through the network he has developed.