We’re now into September and harvest is almost over for another year. This year we started early and finished early, so we have lots planned in Essex Young Farmers for September. We have to say sad “goodbyes” to those leaving us for university, and we welcome lots of new members into the federation, writes Jess Roche.

Although Essex Young Farmers does not run during harvest, in terms of organised meetings, there have been lots of socials to keep us entertained and in touch with everyone.

A group of Young Farmers went down to the Littley Green Beer Festival at the Compasses, which is near our Young Farmers Building. Luckily for us it was a wet day and night, so all the boys and girls who were harvesting could come out for the evening and join us!

My own club, Dunmow, has spent many evenings either at the pub, hosting BBQs, playing rounders or even having an evening dip in the pool! Other clubs in the county have organised similar evenings for their members, and there has been lots of meetings and conversations about the new Young Farmer year, as committees get organised and new chairman and secretaries get ready to take on their new roles for their club.

We had a stall at Brownstock last weekend, which was great fun, and hopefully encouraged some new members to join! We got lots of punters helping us handprint our large papier mache cow, and even some brave people doing their “ice bucket challenge” at our stall.

A few of us more “adventurous” Young Farmers, decided to venture out of the county, to attend a Young Farmers ball in Shropshire! The theme was “Swinging 60s” and we went all out to show that us Essex Young Farmers know how to have a good time! I think the Young Farmers from Shropshire were impressed by our Dodgems driving and how willing we were to be the first on the dance floor.

We also have some exciting news to tell you! Our Young Farmers charity single, which reached number 60 in the Official UK charts, has now been released as a CD on Amazon, to help raise even more money for our two chosen charities, Young Minds UK and the Farming Community Network. Type in “Put That Hoedown” and get ordering! We were number one in the Amazon Singles Charts last weekend, which is fantastic and great publicity for Young Farmers, and our charities. Please help us achieve our aim of getting into the Top 40! It may also be an idea to watch this space, as there has been talk of a Christmas single!

If you are interested in joining in with all our escapades this year, why not ring our friendly staff on: 01245 360442 or if emailing is more your thing: office@essexyfc.co.uk. Remember you don’t have to be a farmer to be a Young Farmer!