September was an increasingly busy month for Essex Young Farmers with clubs holding their AGMs where they voted in their new committee and plans begin to be laid out for the upcoming year with lots already in the diary, writes Jess Roche.

We had our first party of the year, hosted by County, to welcome us all back.

It was an exotic affair, with stilt walkers and a fire dancer! You never know what you may see at these parties, with fancy dress being a common theme!

A lot of the clubs host harvest suppers for their subscribers and members as a thank you for their support.

The style of these varies enormously between clubs with some clubs favouring a black tie event, whilst others prefer a more rustic affair with members catering for the whole event.

My club, Dunmow Young Farmers, have been very busy at the start of the Young Farmers year.

The new committee have been very organised and arranged business cards, leaflets and even stickers to be handed out to potential new members.

We also had a float in the Dunmow Carnival, and with our theme of “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” we managed a very respectable second place!

This was followed by celebrations at the Angel & Harp Beer Festival and an evening trip to the carnival where we took each other on at the dodgems.

In the upcoming weeks we are hosting a party and having an exchange with Shropshire Young Farmers so there is lots to do and organise!

Other Young Farmer clubs like Ashdon & Saffron Walden, Maldon, Ongar, Colchester and Halstead are busy organising their harvest suppers.

Wix has been very busy doing everything from Twister at the pub (we’re a flexible lot us Young Farmers you know!) to arranging pumpkin carving for Halloween.

It is that time of year when the agricultural world gets involved with ploughing matches.

There are various different classes, and people demonstrate their skills with the machinery.

Ongar Young Farmers got involved helping out at the Ongar ploughing match and a few Young Farmers tried their hand at some classes at Ongar (Saturday, September 28) and the County Ploughing Match at Rochford on Saturday 5th October.

The first sporting competition, Badminton, is only a few weeks away, so it is time for us to kick off our wellies and dust off the trainers, for a dose of healthy competition.

There are various sporting and non-sporting competitions that run throughout the year from hockey to public speaking.

There is a competition for everyone!

Don’t worry if you don’t classify yourself as sporty, it’s all a bit of fun, and Young Farmers gives you the chance to try new things.

If you are 16-26, why not pop along to a Young Farmers meeting!

There are 12 clubs around the county so there should be one quite close to you.

Remember you don’t have to be a farmer to be a Young Farmer. Go on www.essexyoungfarmers.com for more information about joining!