YFCU at the 5 Nations Conference: A Week of Innovation and Connection. Blog post from Victoria Minford

From 15th–19th October, I had the privilege of representing the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) at the 5 Nations Conference in Staffordshire, England. This annual event brings together rural youth leaders from England, Wales, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration. The theme for this year—“Diversification, Entrepreneurship and Innovation”—set the tone for an exciting and thought-provoking week.

Day One: Arrival and First Impressions

Our YFCU delegation included Adrianna Coulter (Vice President), Lauren Vance (Trillick YFC), Laura Murray (Crumlin YFC), Lauren McRoberts (Bleary YFC), and myself. We arrived at Somersal Cottages on Wednesday afternoon and kicked off the trip with a visit to Gallimore Machinery, a family-run business combining agricultural machinery repairs, Pottinger sales, and dairy farming. That evening, each nation showcased its local delicacies—YFCU proudly brought dulce, potato bread, yellow man, fifteens, and Tayto crisps!

Day Two: Policy, Training, and Mental Health

Thursday took us to Stoneleigh Park, home to NFU and NFYFC Headquarters. At NFU, we learned how they represent members and tackle challenges in the agri-food industry. At NFYFC, we heard from TIAH (Training in Agriculture and Horticulture) about the importance of continuous learning, followed by a powerful “Mind Your Head” session from Yellow Wellies, highlighting mental health pressures linked to diversification.

The evening was a highlight—entrepreneur Toby Hall shared his inspiring journey of founding Leighton Hall Antiques at a young age. We even took part in a mock auction, proving the old saying true: never judge a book by its cover!

Day Three: Innovation and Diversification in Action

Friday was packed with visits. At Harper Adams University’s Agri Innovation Centre, we explored cutting-edge ideas, including a company turning potato starch into plastic—a personal favourite! Next, Lower Drayton Farm showed us how a traditional beef and sheep farm can diversify into a thriving family attraction. We rounded off the day at KUHN HQ, learning about their global operations and innovative machinery.

That evening, we attended RABI’s Night at the Races at Staffordshire County Showgrounds—a fantastic opportunity to support a great cause and connect with local farmers. A special memory was travelling with Welsh delegates who taught us a few Welsh phrases and songs along the way!

Day Four: Rural Youth Europe and Farm Tours

Saturday began with an insightful talk from Fiona O’Leary, the 5 Nations board representative for Rural Youth Europe, about opportunities for young farmers across the continent. We then visited Daltons Ice Cream Farm, a low-input dairy farm producing delicious ice cream, and enjoyed stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Our final stop was JCB Farms, an impressive 3,500-acre estate producing beef, sheep, pigs, poultry, and deer—all destined for the renowned Daylesford Farm Shop.

Wrapping Up

Sunday morning brought the conference to a close with a recap of our experiences. Representing YFCU at the 5 Nations Conference was an unforgettable opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with inspiring people from across the UK and Ireland. If you’re a YFCU member, I strongly encourage you to apply for next year’s event in Wales—you won’t regret it!