Hope Valley Young Farmers

There are 10 clubs within Derbyshire and 624 Young Farmers Clubs in England and Wales. 

What do Young Farmers get up to?

Every Tuesday Hope Valley Young Farmers meet.  Meetings vary from talks by bee keepers and vets to outdoor meetings such as livestock judging and bowling.

We try and make the weekly meetings cater for all members, whatever they are interested in.

Charity Work

Over the past year Hope Valley YFC has raised just under £2700 for their chosen charities (Kidney Cancer Support Network and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice).

The charities vary from year to year which are decided by the members.

The cheques get presented to the charities during the grand parade at Hope Show.

HVYFC have various fund raising activities throughout the year with the main fund raiser being the harvest auction held in October at The Travellers Rest, Brough

HVYFC also hold a Farmhouse Breakfast morning where they cook breakfast for the morning and raise money for the club.

Over the past 10 years the club has raised well over £28,000 for different charities.

Number of members 

About 30 each week – mostly 16 and under

Where do we meet?

Hope Sports Pavilion, unless stated differently on the programme

Favourite club meeting?

There’s been a lot- however think one of the best has to be a Talk from one of the trainers/ nutritionists of the Olympic athletes and everything that goes on in the Olympic village in 2012 and what they are sorting ready for Rio in 2016.

This year’s charities (September 14- September 15)

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice- offers care and support to children with a shortened life expectancy, both in their own homes and at the hospice.

Kidney Cancer Support Network- is a patient led network of kidney cancer patients, care givers and families that are affected by kidney cancer.

In October just under £2700 was raised for our charities at our Harvest Auction 

Competitions

There is a varied competitions programme where young farmers compete at local level and depending on results also at national levels.

Competitions vary from Flower arranging, Tug of War, Public Speaking, Quizzes, Debating, Sports (badminton, dodge ball, football and hockey), Cookery, Stock Judging (beef, sheep, pig and carcass), fencing, tractor driving and many more.

The main compettion day for Derbyshire this year will be held on the 16th May. The venue moves each year depending on which regions turn it is to host it.  This years rally is been held at Matlock Meadows, it is well worth a visit. 

Which competition is HVYFC best at?

I don’t think we really have one competition as each year is different.

Over the years we have competed at National level in a number of competitions including Junior reading, Cookery, Flower arranging and the Cube Exhibit however we are probably best known for our Stock judging and out Harlequin tops for Tug-of-War.

Develop Skills

Derbyshire YFC this year (for the second year) have made a successful bid for funding from The Prince’s Fund to help with funding some training for members such as Chainsaw tests, spray tests, tractor tests and lots more. 

YFC Travel- The travel programme includes home stays and working holidays- as well as fun ski trips. The exchanges go all over the world including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Netherlands and they also stay within the UK.

Socialising 

YFC gives you a great opportunity to socialise and make new friends. There are hundreds of YFC events throughout the year, ranging from local discos and race nights to the annual trip to the National YFC AGM held in either Torquay or Blackpool where all Young Farmers ascend to for three days of socialising, competitions and meetings. 

Something you didn’t know about Hope Valley YFC....

We are one of the oldest clubs in Derbyshire. In 2012 we celebrated our 75th anniversary with some of the founding members of the club.